Recommendations + References
Updated 7.10.23
Overview
A recommendation letter is written by a professional giving a positive, supportive, and honest
recommendation for a job/internship, scholarship/fellowship, or graduate school. They describe a
candidate’s qualifications, skills, education, and experience that make them a good fit for a role/program.
A reference page is a list of 3-5 professionals (references) who can vouch for your character, skills and
work style, which employers may ask you to submit during the hiring process. Hiring managers will likely
contact your references to ask about your history, qualifications, and character.
Requesting Recommendation Letters and/or References
• Review the role/program you are seeking to identify the requirements.
• Make a list of professionals (professors, supervisors, mentors) who are familiar with your
academics, competencies, experiences, and career goals.
• Carefully choose supportive and enthusiastic recommenders who can vouch for your
qualifications and readiness to succeed in the role/program. Consider these questions:
• Who has knowledge of my competencies, skills, and qualifications?
• Who can provide a positive, supportive, and honest recommendation?
• Who can provide examples of my professional qualities, experiences, and employability?
• Who has knowledge of my academic and career goals?
• Contact potential recommenders/references to explain your need (see samples below).
• Politely and directly ask if they feel comfortable writing a positive, supportive, and honest
recommendation letter and/or being listed as a reference. Allow them to comfortably respond (even
with “no”), not pressuring them to accept!
• To help your recommenders/references produce credible, informative, and outstanding
letters/commendations, share pertinent documents:
• Job/internship description, fellowship/scholarship, or grad program information.
• Application materials: resume/CV, cover letter, statement of purpose/personal statement,
courses taken, GPA, transcripts, etc.
• Information about when and how to submit their recommendation letter.
• Learn about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to make an informed decision
about waiving or not waiving your right to inspect recommendation letters.
• Upon receiving a letter of recommendation/reference, send a thank you note.
Additional Resources
• Indeed | Sample Reference Page for Employment + What are References for a Job Application?
Recommendations + References
Updated 7.10.23
Mary Smith
(559) 123-4567 | mssmith@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/marysmith | Fresno, CA
September 5, 20XX
Maria Lopez, PhD
Department of Kinesiology
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
Fresno, CA 93702
Dear Dr. Lopez:
Thank you for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I hereby [waive OR do not
waive] my right to inspect the letter of recommendation written for me and sent to the designated
schools of my choice. I am applying to the [doctorate, masters, doctoral, credentialing] program in
Physical Therapy [specialized program name] at California State University, Fresno, and University of
Saint Augustine [list grad schools]. My earliest deadline is October 20, 20XX [enter deadline].
Here are the courses I have taken from you.
Fall 20XX
Physiology of Exercise
Spring 20XX
Fundamentals of Motor Behavior
Fall 20XX
Internship in Kinesiology
Spring 20XX
Undergraduate-Senior Research
It would also be helpful if you could allude to my performance in the following:
2020-20XX
Kinesiology Research Assistant
Spring 20XX
Lab Assistant
Finally, I have attached my curriculum vitae, statement of purpose and information about the doctoral
Physical Therapy program [list enclosed documents] that I am applying to that might be useful. Looking
forward to hearing from you soon. Feel free to contact me at [phone #] or [email] if you have any
questions or need additional information. Thank you for your ongoing support with my graduate school
application process.
Sincerely,
[Handwritten Signature]
Mary Smith
LETTERHEAD
Same as resume/cv heading
RECIPIENT’S INFO
name, title or department,
company & address
SALUTATIONS
Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr.
or Professor
FIRST PARAGRAPH
Indicate if you waive your
right to inspect the letter.
State the degree type,
program & grad schools
you are applying to.
Include the deadline.
BODY
Indicate the semesters &
courses completed with
your recommender. As
applicable, add research
& lab assistance roles.
FINAL PARAGRAPH
State enclosures, share
next steps, thank them
& give contact info.
VALEDICTIONS
Include a handwritten
signature
RECOMMENDATION REQUEST SAMPLE | GRAD SCHOOL
Recommendations + References
Updated 7.10.23
Mariah Spencer
Kerman, CA | (559) 000-0000
Mariah-Spen[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/MariahSpencer
September 1, 20XX
John Kunz, PhD
ABC Physical Therapy Clinic
1111 S Chestnut Ave
Fresno, CA 93702
Dear Dr. Kunz:
Thank you for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I am seeking employment as
a Physical Therapist Assistant [position title] with Valley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Therapy Center in
Madera [company name, city & location]. My earliest deadline is October 20, 20XX [enter deadline].
A positive reference from you would enhance my prospects of achieving my career goals. If you can
attest to the skills I attained during my undergraduate pre-physical therapy practicum under your
supervision at ABC Physical Therapy Clinic, that would be greatly appreciated.
Here are some areas I assisted with under your supervision:
• Evaluation and review of comprehensive treatment plans
• Assisted with treatment exercise warm-ups
• Prepared physical therapy modalities
It would also be helpful if you could allude to my performance in the following ethical procedures:
• Patient confidentiality
• Physical Therapist Code of Ethics
Finally, I have attached my resume, cover letter, and job description [list enclosed documents] that may
be useful. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Feel free to contact me at [phone #] or
[email] if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Sincerely,
Mariah Spencer
Mariah Spencer
RECOMMENDATION REQUEST SAMPLE | EMPLOYMENT
LETTERHEAD
RECIPIENT’S INFO
SALUTATIONS
FIRST PARAGRAPH
BODY
FINAL PARAGRAPH
VALEDICTIONS
Recommendations + References
Updated 7.10.23
REFERENCES
Mariah Spencer
Kerman, CA | (559) 000-0000
Mariah-Spen[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/MariahSpencer
September 1, 20XX
John Kunz, PhD
ABC Physical Therapy Clinic
1111 S Chestnut Ave
Fresno, CA 93702
Dear Dr. Kunz:
Thank you for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I am seeking employment as
a Physical Therapist Assistant [position title] with Valley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Therapy Center in
Madera [company name, city & location]. My earliest deadline is October 20, 20XX [enter deadline].
A positive reference from you would enhance my prospects of achieving my career goals. If you can
attest to the skills I attained during my undergraduate pre-physical therapy practicum under your
supervision at ABC Physical Therapy Clinic, that would be greatly appreciated.
Here are some areas I assisted with under your supervision:
• Evaluation and review of comprehensive treatment plans
• Assisted with treatment exercise warm-ups
• Prepared physical therapy modalities
It would also be helpful if you could allude to my performance in the following ethical procedures:
• Patient confidentiality
• Physical Therapist Code of Ethics
Finally, I have attached my resume, cover letter, and job description [list enclosed documents] that may
be useful. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Feel free to contact me at [phone #] or
[email] if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Sincerely,
Mariah Spencer
Mariah Spencer
SUNNY SUNBIRD
(559) 777-0000 | [email protected]
linkedin.com/in/sunny-sunbird | Reedley, CA
REFERENCES
Name of Reference
Relationship
Current Job Title
Current Employer
(559) 000-0000
currentemail@email.com
Trisha Knolls
Former Supervisor, Mentor
Executive Assistant to the President
College of the Pines
(559) 922-4400
tknolls@cotp.edu
Timothy Edges
Former Colleague
Assistant Director of Career Education
University of Northern California
(559) 299-7755
timothyedges@gmail.com
Jennifer Kapzow
Former Professor
Associate Professor
Southern Starfront University
(559) 677-3333
jenniferkapzow@starfront.edu
REFERENCES PAGE SAMPLE
LETTERHEAD
Same as resume/cv heading
Now that you’ve
contacted your references
who’ve agreed to give a
supportive endorsement,
create your references
page with 3+ contacts.
Indicate when/how you
interacted (e.g., Current
Manager, Former
Colleague). See an
extended format example.
List current job title &
employer (which may
have changed since your
interaction).
Leading a team or going
into sales? Consider a
reference from a direct
report or customer.
Reach out to your
references 1-2 times
annually to stay in touch.
Adapted from: The Muse. themuse.com/advice/list-references-template-example
