Correct. Here’s a pro-tip that also applies at work, when you email your manager: make it as easy as possible for the person to help you. If you ask for an intro to someone, write an email that is ready to be forwarded, as is, and already has all the context that the person you are trying to reach would need. So manager or relation just has to hit forward, type a little note to their contact at the beginning of the email, and they are done.
I used to feel kind of queasy about this strategy -- writing what you want someone else to send, and basically just asking them to cosign it -- but it is both shockingly effective, and usually kind of a relief to the person you're asking.
When I do this I always preface it with, "hey here is an example of what you could send... feel free to copy-pasta or ask in whatever way you want". That way it isn't as icky feeling.
Yes! Make sure it is clear that it is a helpful suggestion and not the exact text you need.
You are also helping them by reminding them of exactly what skills you want or what you bring to the table, which may jog additional details loose in their memory.
I learned it from an early age while I was finishing my BSc: I needed some "referral" letters from professors that I have worked with. They all told me to write something in Word, print it and they would sign it (it was back in 2001).
A tip to stack on the tip you provided: you know you’re going to need these references down the road, so ask for them when your peak performance is fresh in your professor’s mind. Throw them in a folder and pull them out when you suddenly need a reference.
Nah, that doesn't work. Most reference collection mechanisms are online now and require the professor's email to generate a fresh referral at the time of application. This is to prevent fraud of course, which became very prevalent.
It may not work well for you; I cannot dispute that.
This methodology works (very well) for me. Perhaps I do not submit references to people who think I am lying directly to their face, or perhaps you have tried this in a low-trust environment where it was not allowed.
Once you graduate and start working in your chosen field, those reference letters will be out of date in a few years, as propective employers don't give a hoot as to how well you did in your 2nd year data structures course. If it's for grad school, then it will be as I said in the vast majority of cases: A direct request soliciting feedback to the faculty member based on credentials you provide.
You have assumed poorly. I’m about fifty and I’m a lawyer. I have also worked in tech. At every stage of my career I have collected letters of recommendation and used them to obtain my next certification or position. I’m not sure what to tell you at this point other than to mention that making assumptions is not a great habit.
I don’t know too much about “grad school” unless you consider law school graduate school, and then I can assure you that zero direct requests soliciting feedback from any faculty member were made during my application process.
I admit that very occasionally someone wants a directly submitted recommendation. When this happens, I email the old recommendation to the old recommender and just ask them to resend it.
Yes, this. I have written literally every letter of recommendation I've had myself, because every time I've asked for one, the answer was "write it up and I'll review and sign it."
