Dear Career Advisor:

I resigned my job a few months ago as I could no longer stand the pressure, disrespect, poor leadership and disorganisation of my boss.

I am now ready to re-enter the job market and I am a strong candidate for a position in which I have great interest. It, however, requires a recommendation from my last employer but I am hesitant about requesting it given the circumstances under which I left. How can I get my former boss to write me an outstanding letter of recommendation? Why do employers require recommendations anyway?

KG

Employers try to ensure that they are thorough in their screening process of potential employees so that they obtain all pertinent information which will inform their final decision of who is hired. A recommendation from a previous employer or supervisor is a credible and easily accessible method of achieving this as it includes information on the worker’s job competence, character and integrity.

In your case, given what you have described of your former boss, you could end up reciving a recommendation that is very general, and limited to comments about job functions, duration of employment and other non-specific comments.

To elicit an outstanding reference letter might require that you be bold and couch your request in such a manner that prompts your former boss to be magnanimous. Instead of calling to request the recommendation, consider writing to your former boss. The aim of your letter is to achieve three things, vis.

i. Indicate why you asking him/her to provide the reference;

ii. Provide a draft highlighting your strengths (the things you want to be emphasised), and giving the person the latitude to make adjustments; and

iii. Allow your former boss the autonomy of either accepting or rejecting your request and proposal

Close your letter by graciously thanking your former boss indicating your availability to answer any questions he/she may have.

If instead, your former boss asks you to write your own recommendation, and send to him/her for signing, do not be shy or restrained in communicating your strengths. Do not brag; be objective and truthful.

I trust that this approach will prove successful.

All the best.

Carolyn Marie Smith is Director of Career & Employment Services at Northern Caribbean University. Submit your questions to her at careeradvisor@ncu.edu.jm