How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter: 8 Samples

The best way to ask for a recommendation letter is to ask early, ask someone who knows your work well and make the request easy to say yes to. A short, clear email with the deadline and your documents does exactly that.

Below are 8 sample request emails: a former manager, a professor for graduate school, an internship supervisor, a colleague, a scholarship, a short-notice request, a gentle reminder and a thank-you note. After them, use the free builder to write your own request, then print it or copy it.

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All names, employers, schools and results are fictional. Change the details to match your own situation, and use only facts about yourself that are true.

8 Sample Emails to Ask for a Recommendation Letter

Quick jump: Former manager Professor Internship supervisor Colleague Scholarship Short notice Reminder Thank you Free recommendation letter request builder

Ask a Former Manager

Subject: Request for a letter of recommendation

Dear Mr. Carter,

I am writing to ask whether you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for my application to the Senior Accountant position at Maple Street Financial in Columbus, Ohio.

Working on your team at Granite Peak Supply for four years, I cut our month-end close from 8 days to 5 and trained 3 new staff, and you saw that work every month. A letter from you would give the hiring team a clear picture of my results.

My resume is attached, and the deadline is six weeks away. I can send the submission link and a short list of projects whenever you are ready. Thank you for considering it.

Best regards,
Jennifer Collins
jennifer.collins@email.com | (555) 010-3101

Ask a Professor for Graduate School

Subject: Letter of recommendation for the Master of Social Work program

Dear Professor Reynolds,

My application to the Master of Social Work program at Prairie State University is due on February 1, and I am writing to ask whether you would write a letter of recommendation for me.

Your community research seminar is where I led a survey of 120 residents and earned an A on the final report, so you saw how I work with a team. I would be glad to meet for 15 minutes or send my resume, transcript and personal statement ahead of time.

The letter can be uploaded through the program’s online form, and I will forward the link as soon as you agree. Thank you for your time and your support.

Sincerely,
Michael Brooks
michael.brooks@email.com | (555) 010-3112

Ask an Internship Supervisor

Subject: Asking for a recommendation letter

Dear Ms. Alvarez,

This email is to ask whether you would write a recommendation letter for my application to the Marketing Coordinator job at Summit Ridge Outdoors in Denver.

During my summer internship at Clearwater Media, I wrote 24 social posts and grew our email list by 18%, and you reviewed that work each week. Your view of those results would mean a lot to the hiring team.

My updated resume and a short list of projects are attached. The deadline is two weeks from Friday, and I am glad to answer any questions.

Kind regards,
Emily Parker
emily.parker@email.com | (555) 010-3123

Ask a Colleague

Subject: Quick request: a recommendation for my application

Hi David,

I am reaching out to ask if you would write a recommendation for my application to the Project Manager role at Bayview Health in San Diego.

We worked side by side on the nine-month scheduling project at Oakline Hospital, where we cut patient wait times by 22%, and you know that work well. If you are open to it, I will send the job post, my resume and three points you could cover.

Thank you for considering it. A short call works too if that is easier.

Thanks again,
Ryan Mitchell
ryan.mitchell@email.com | (555) 010-3134

Ask for a Scholarship

Subject: Recommendation for the Community Leaders Scholarship

Dear Dr. Whitfield,

My application to the Community Leaders Scholarship at the Harbor Education Fund is due in five weeks, and I am writing to ask whether you would recommend me.

You supervised the tutoring program I led for two years, where 40 students raised their reading scores, so you saw my work up close. I am happy to send my personal statement and a summary of the program results.

The fund takes letters through an online link, which I will forward to you as soon as you agree. Thank you for your time and your support.

Sincerely,
Ashley Turner
ashley.turner@email.com | (555) 010-3145

Short Notice Request

Subject: Short-notice request for a recommendation letter

Dear Mr. Foster,

I am writing to ask whether you would be able to write a letter of recommendation for my application to the Operations Supervisor position at Redwood Freight in Sacramento, which is due in 10 days.

To make it easy, I will send the job description, my resume and three points you can use. Leading the 12-person night shift under your direction is the experience I would love the letter to cover. If your schedule does not allow it, I understand completely.

Thank you for everything you taught me, and for considering this.

Best regards,
Brandon Hayes
brandon.hayes@email.com | (555) 010-3156

Gentle Reminder

Subject: Friendly reminder: recommendation letter due next Friday

Dear Professor Bennett,

I am writing to check in on the letter of recommendation for my application to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Lakeshore University, which is due next Friday.

Thank you again for agreeing to write it. If it is helpful, I can resend the submission link or my resume.

Nothing else is needed from you except submitting it by the deadline. Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,
Olivia Sanders
olivia.sanders@email.com | (555) 010-3167

Thank You After the Letter

Subject: Thank you for my letter of recommendation

Dear Ms. Henderson,

I am writing to thank you for the letter of recommendation you wrote for my application to the Nurse Educator position at Pinecrest Medical in Raleigh.

Your support meant a great deal, and I wanted you to know that I accepted the offer on Monday.

Thank you for the time you gave. I will keep you updated as I settle into the role.

Warm regards,
Katherine Rogers
katherine.rogers@email.com | (555) 010-3178

Free Recommendation Letter Request Builder

Who to Ask

Choose someone who knows your work well and would write a positive letter. Check first whether the employer or school requires a professor or a supervisor. If you need several letters, think about how each writer knows you and what picture the letters give together.

Who to ask	Best for	What they can speak to
Former manager or current supervisor	Job applications	Results, reliability and how you work with a team
Professor or research mentor	Graduate school and scholarships	Classroom work, research and goals
Internship or volunteer supervisor	Early career jobs and scholarships	Initiative, leadership and results in the role
Colleague who worked with you	Job applications and promotions	Teamwork and shared projects

When to Ask

Ask at least six weeks before the deadline, and eight weeks if you can. Union College says to ask at least 5 to 6 weeks ahead, and Wellesley College says to allow at least 6 to 8 weeks. Giving a specific date helps the writer plan.

When	What to do	Sample to use
8 weeks before the deadline	Ask in person or by email, then send your documents	Ask a Former Manager, Ask a Professor
6 weeks before the deadline	Latest comfortable time to ask for a new letter	Ask for a Scholarship
Less than 2 weeks left	Ask whether they can still meet the deadline	Short Notice Request
About 1 week before the deadline	Send a short reminder	Gentle Reminder
After you submit or hear back	Thank them and share the outcome	Thank You After the Letter

Steps to Ask for a Recommendation Letter

Pick the right person. Choose someone who has seen your best work.
Check the rules. Find out whether the letter is confidential and how it is submitted.
Ask early. Ask in person if you can, then send an email that sums it up.
Open with the purpose. Name the job, program or scholarship in your first sentence.
Make it easy. Send the deadline, the link, your resume and three points to highlight.
Follow up and say thank you. Send a short reminder if needed, then thank them and share the outcome.

What to Send Your Recommender

What to send	Why it helps
The exact deadline	Lets them plan their time
The submission link or instructions	Saves them a step
Your current resume	Reminds them of your work
The job post or program details	Shows what the reader wants to see
Three points to highlight	Keeps the letter focused on your results
Your personal statement or transcript	Helps the letter match your application

Subject Line Ideas

Request for a letter of recommendation
Letter of recommendation for the Master of Social Work program
Asking for a recommendation for the Marketing Coordinator job
Friendly reminder: recommendation letter due next Friday

Stronger Wording for Your Request

Skip stock phrases and give the reader clear facts. These swaps make a short request easier to answer.

Instead of	Try
I need a recommendation.	Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for my application to the Senior Accountant position at Maple Street Financial?
Sorry to bother you.	Thank you for considering this.
Whenever you get a chance.	The deadline is six weeks away, and I can send everything you need this week.
Write whatever you want.	I would be glad to share three points you may want to highlight.

Mistakes to Avoid

Asking at the last minute. Ask at least six weeks ahead when you can.
Sending a vague request. Name the job, program or scholarship and the deadline.
Leaving out your documents. Send your resume, the link and your points in one email.
Writing the letter yourself. Send a short summary instead.
Skipping the thank-you. Thank each writer and share the outcome.
Typos. Proofread twice, and check names and titles.

Recommendation Request Checklist

Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to send when the counter reaches 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I ask for a recommendation letter?

Ask someone who knows your work well and would write a positive letter. The University of Hawaii at Manoa career center names previous employers, professors, internship supervisors and professionals in your field, and Wellesley College says to choose people whose expertise matches the opportunity. Union College adds that you should first check whether the employer or school requires a professor or a supervisor.

How far ahead should I ask?

Give at least six weeks. Union College says to ask at least 5 to 6 weeks before the due date, and Wellesley College says to allow at least 6 to 8 weeks, and at least eight weeks for a recommender to prepare a letter. If a deadline falls in late summer or early fall, Wellesley says to mention it to faculty before the end of spring semester or email early in the summer.

Should I ask in person or by email?

Both work together. The University of Hawaii at Manoa says to ask in person if you can and then send an email that sums up what you discussed, with your updated resume and your accomplishments. Wellesley College says to meet if possible, and to explain in your email if time zones or schedules make that hard.

What should I send my recommender?

Union College lists your resume, transcript, personal statement and the position description, the qualities you want highlighted and why you are applying. Wellesley College adds the exact deadline, clear submission instructions and a link to the opportunity. Send everything in one email.

What if I only have a short time before the deadline?

Ask anyway, and say so plainly. Wellesley College advises asking whether the recommender can still meet the deadline and being ready for a no. Offer to send a summary and your documents so the writer can work quickly.

What if someone says no?

Thank them for considering it and ask someone else. Wellesley College gives this advice. A kind reply keeps the relationship in good shape.

What if my recommender asks me to write the letter myself?

Wellesley College says not to write it. Instead, prepare a one-page to two-page document with the opportunity and your reasons for applying, your strengths, one to three examples of work with that person and your resume highlights. If the person still cannot write the letter, they may not be the right fit.

Should the letter be confidential?

Decide before you ask. Union College explains that for a confidential letter you must waive your right to view it, and you should also decide whether it goes by mail, with a pre-addressed stamped envelope from you, or electronically, with the link to the online form.

How do I follow up?

Check in once or twice. Union College says to remind recommenders if the letter is not complete within two weeks of the due date, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa says to check in about one week before the deadline. Then confirm that the letter was submitted on time.

Should I thank my recommender?

Yes. Union College and Wellesley College both advise sending a thank-you note and telling the person the outcome once you know it. The University of Hawaii at Manoa says to thank your reference even if you do not get the position.

Conclusion

A good request is early, specific and easy to answer. Name the purpose, share the deadline and your documents, and thank the writer when you are done. Then use the builder above to write yours and send it.