How to Request a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from Your Manager or Employer

Introduction

As you prepare to apply for advanced studies or specialized educational programs, a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from a manager or employer can significantly bolster your application. This letter provides a unique perspective on your professional skills and how they translate into your academic and research potential. This guide will navigate you through the nuances of requesting an LOR from your workplace, tailored for academic pursuits.

Choosing the Right Manager

Selecting the right person to request an LOR from is crucial for ensuring your application stands out. Ideally, your immediate reporting manager, who has a direct understanding of your day-to-day contributions and work ethic, should be your first choice due to the clear reporting structure and their firsthand insight into your professional growth. If possible, considering a skip-level manager (your manager's manager) can also be beneficial, especially if they have been involved in your projects or have a broader perspective on your role within the organization.

Additionally, senior leaders or executives, such as VPs, CEOs, or CTOs, who are familiar with your work, can add considerable weight to your LOR due to their high-standing titles and recognized authority within and possibly outside the company. While it's advantageous if the recommender is relevant to your intended field of study, it's not strictly necessary. The primary goal is to choose someone who has worked closely with you and can provide a detailed and compelling account of your abilities and potential.

For those early in their careers or in junior positions, a senior colleague who may not hold a managerial title but has closely collaborated with you could also serve as an excellent source for an LOR. Their ability to attest to your skills, work ethic, and contributions can provide a valuable perspective to admissions committees, highlighting your readiness and potential for advanced study.

How to Request an LOR from Your Manager

Requesting an LOR from a manager requires clear communication and professionalism. Here's how to approach it:

1. Timing Your Request: Ask well in advance, giving your manager ample time to write a thoughtful letter.

2. Make a Personal Request: Whenever possible, ask in person or via a video call to add a personal touch.

3. Provide Context and Support: Explain your academic aspirations and how their endorsement could help. Offer a draft or bullet points highlighting your relevant achievements under their supervision.

4. Express Gratitude: Show appreciation for their support, regardless of their response.

Pro Tip: Provide Your Manager a Draft LOR

Recognizing that managers and employers are often balancing a wide array of responsibilities, requesting a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) can seem like an additional task on their already full plate. To streamline this process for both parties and enhance the chances of securing a compelling LOR, offering a draft letter from their perspective can be a significant help.

When drafting the LOR, focus on honestly highlighting your professional achievements, experiences, and personal qualities that are pertinent to the academic program you're applying for, ensuring you maintain an ethical stance throughout. This draft should serve as a foundation, reflecting your professional relationship and achievements, which your recommender can then personalize with their insights and observations.

Include this draft LOR as an attachment in your email request, alongside a respectful note explaining its purpose. Clarify that this draft is intended to alleviate their burden and that you fully encourage and appreciate any modifications they might wish to apply. This gesture not only shows your initiative and respect for their time but also ensures that the LOR genuinely captures your professional strengths and contributions.

Leveraging a tool like our LOR Generator can prove invaluable in this scenario. It enables you to create a professionally tailored draft in under 10 minutes, designed from the perspective of your manager or employer. This approach facilitates the creation of an endorsement that is both authoritative and reflective of your specific professional accomplishments, simplifying the task for your recommender and increasing the likelihood of obtaining a strong, supportive LOR.

Email Template for Requesting an LOR

Below is an email template that includes tactful mention of the attached draft LOR:

Email Template: Request with Draft LOR Attached

Conclusion

A compelling LOR from a manager or employer can provide a unique edge to your university application, highlighting your professional experiences and their relevance to your academic ambitions. By approaching your request with preparation, respect, and gratitude, you can foster a supportive response and secure a letter that stands out in your application.