How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation

Whether you are completing undergraduate or graduate studies, or have earned your degree recently, you will likely want to ask a professor or an academic advisor for a recommendation letter as you begin to apply for jobs. 

College professors, particularly those who have taught you in multiple classes, can provide powerful recommendations for employment and graduate school. After all, they have observed you analyze, write, articulate your views, and present to groups.

Many professors have an abundance of contacts in the professional world, including ex-students and consulting clients, and they usually have a high degree of credibility with these contacts.

Review advice on who to ask for a reference, how to ask, what to include in your request, and examples of reference request letters and emails.

Who to Ask for an Academic Reference

People familiar with your academic work and performance are excellent choices to ask for recommendations as you begin your career. You may not have a lot of related work experience in your chosen field, and your professors can speak about the knowledge and skills you have demonstrated that will help you succeed in the industry you are targeting.

If possible, request a reference letter from a professor or advisor who knows you well and respects your work and character.

Ideally, choose someone who you've spoken to outside of the classroom—during office hours, for instance, or at departmental activities. 

Also, respect people's schedules—if possible, request a reference letter several weeks in advance of when the semester ends or when you'll need it.  

How to Ask for a Recommendation from a Professor

Even if you already have a positive relationship with your professor, it's important to be tactful when asking for a recommendation. You need to keep in mind that professors teach a great number of students.

Although they may have a very positive general impression of you, the most convincing references will require them to give a fair amount of detail to support their positive assertions. You can help them to accomplish this by supplying some of this detail when you make your request. 

Prepare a Summary Document

Prepare a summary document that lists each course you took with the professor and references any papers or projects that you successfully completed. Include the grade for individual projects as well as the overall grade for the course.

Provide Your Resume

Share your resume to give the professor a summary of your extracurricular achievements and your work experience. Describe in writing the types of jobs you're looking for, and the qualifications that you are focusing on. A copy of the job posting will make it easier for your professor to tailor their reference to the position.

Include a Cover Letter

Including a cover letter can help with this process. If possible, point to specific classes or projects where you may have showcased some of the core skills you would like the recommendation to emphasize.

Request a Meeting If Possible

If you're still in school or living near campus, try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the professor. Ask if the faculty member would be comfortable endorsing you as a candidate for the types of jobs you're applying to, and then ask if you can stop in during office hours or chat over a cup of coffee to discuss the matter further. Then, follow up with an email or letter to your prospective faculty reference with the attached documents.

If that's not possible, a video conversation, phone call, or email exchange works well too.

Be Clear About What You Want

Make sure you state precisely what you are asking them to do, such as to write a general letter of recommendation for your credential file, to write a recommendation for a specific job, or seek their permission to list them as a reference. 

Give as Much Notice as You Can

Give your faculty members as much advance notice as possible. Toward the end of the semester, they may be busy grading papers and exams, as well as writing recommendations for many other students.

What to Include in an Email Request

When sending the email message, include your name in the subject line. (For example: "Joe Smith - Recommendation Request.") 

For instance, you can say, "I enjoyed your class on XYZ, which I attended in fall 2021" It can also be helpful to include a summary of related coursework and school activities, along with your resume and cover letter. 

The more detailed the information you provide, the easier it will be for the reference writer to endorse you. 

Request for a Recommendation Example

Here's a sample letter asking a professor to provide a recommendation for employment. Download the letter of recommendation template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Recommendation Request Template

Recommendation Request Email Example

Remember to Say Thank You 

Once your professor writes the reference, make sure to send a thank-you note to your reference provider, acknowledging the favor. You can either send a handwritten note or an email. 

Provide Updates on Your Job Search Progress

Keep your faculty members up to date on your job search as it progresses. Make sure to let them know if an employer seems to be ready to conduct a reference check. You should also provide the professor with a job description and copy of your cover letter so they will be prepared should they receive a call.

When you get hired, update your recommender again. They will be thrilled to hear the news, and will be more likely to provide a reference again in the future if they know their reference assisted with a positive outcome.