Fearless Interviewing- Things you may have done as a volunteer
- Any awards or special recognition you were given
- A sentiment that the company regrets to see you go
- A statement that recommends you to future employers
- An offer that he or she may be contacted in the future
regarding your time at the company
Often, the manager or supervisor at your current com-
pany is willing to write you a recommendation... but he is so
busy that it’s difficult for him to finish the task. Ask if you can
write your own letter of recommendation and have him edit and
sign it.
If you can, include letters of recommendation from three dif-
ferent people, along with a fresh copy of your résumé, when you
go to the interview. Donotsend these letters to the employer
before the interview unless you’re explicitly asked to do so.
Employers have only 7 to 90 seconds to spend reading materials
you send before the interview. Don’t overburden them with let-
ters at this point. Since letters of recommendation are optional,
and for “average” interviewers, rather rare, why not save the let-
ters for a surprise bonus at the interview just to tip those scales
even further in your direction when the time comes?
Be sure that the people who signed or wrote these letters
know that you are applying for new positions so that they will be
prepared if a prospective employer calls them. We don’t want the
busy people who supported you with a letter to say “Ellen who?”
when it comes time for a prospective employer to check on your
recommendations.
References
You need to prepare your references in the same way you pre-
pared recommendations. Whereas recommendations are usual-
ly writtencommunications, references are verbalrecommenda-
tions. You do not need letters from these people. Pick them care-
full, because employers really do take the time to check them!
Any of your peers, and certainly your superiors at work, make
fine references.