Get recommendations to increase your chances of landing that job!

Looking for a new job? Then you probably have an up-to-date resume and know how to write a cover letter. But are your letters of recommendation ready, too?
Letters of recommendation are written references that your professional contacts - your boss in most cases - can write for you. These letters provide a professional assessment of your qualities, the tasks performed in your role, your abilities, etc. Recommendations on LinkedIn can also help you.
You may be wondering how such a letter could be useful to you…
A letter of recommendation can tip the balance in your favor if the recruiter hesitates between you and other candidates. It can really help convince them that you are the best candidate for the position.

Here are some tips to help you prepare your letter of recommendation

Find someone who knows you well enough. Your letter of recommendation should normally be written by a former employer. But you can perfectly use references from other professional contacts or university professors/advisors, clients and vendors…
If you leave your employer on good terms, ask them for a letter of recommendation. The opportunity may not arise again if you wait too long, and you will end up losing sight of them.
Provide a copy of your resume and information about your skills and experience to the author of the letter of recommendation so that they have up-to-date information to work with.
To avoid any repercussions that could jeopardize your current position, make sure that potential employers ask your permission before contacting the reference authors.

With your resume, cover letter and your letter(s) of recommendation, you now have all the cards in hand to start your job search.

Good luck!

Stepstone.be

Posted on June 3, 2014.