References are an extremely important part of any application. However, many people struggle with knowing what is the best way, and whom do you ask, for great letters of recommendation.
Generally speaking, you should aim to get at least three letters of recommendation. Although the common thread throughout these should be you, each letter should be unique, helping elucidate a different aspect of your candidacy—whether that is your education, technical and research skills, leadership abilities or beyond.
Whom to ask? Ask someone who knows you very well! Although this might sound obvious, many individuals are lured by the appeal of having a well-known scientist write a recommendation. It is much better to ask someone who is exceptionally familiar with your work, and who can clearly speak to your strengths. Your recommenders will vary depending on your specific career plans and focus, but may include:
- Dissertation/academic advisers
- Supervisors if you are a postdoc
- Someone who can speak to your teaching abilities and/or your experience in industry or non-bench activities
- If you are looking for a letter for medical school or graduate school: -- Summer research experience mentor -- Faculty member who taught a hard science course
When to ask? Ask early! A surefire way to receive a lukewarm, or worse—a negative, letter of recommendation is to not give enough advanced notice to your recommender. Four to six weeks of advance notice is standard; however, as an added courtesy, you could ask earlier and see what would be a feasible timeline for your recommender. It is always better to ask in advance and then as the deadline approaches, you can send friendly reminders of the impending due date. Periodic reminders will not be resented and will reflect favorably on your organizational skills. You can also ask for letters of recommendation as you are wrapping up an experience. If you are graduating, finishing an internship or completing your postdoc, it is a good idea to ask for a recommendation now. Even if these letters aren’t immediately used, it can be helpful to ask while your work is still fresh in their minds. If needed and/or appropriate, you can always ask for updates at a later time.
How to ask? Ask personally! It is to your advantage to ask face-to-face. By having an in-person meeting, you can explain your career plans and have a thoughtful conversation about what could give you a competitive edge during the application process. This is also your opportunity to candidly ask if they are willing to write a positive letter for you and to ensure that they don’t have any reservations about your candidacy. In the moment, this can be a difficult conversation to have; however, in the long run, this is a necessary starting point to ensure your work is getting the best endorsement possible.
