How to Ask Your Employer for a Letter of Recommendation

When you give your employer your letter of resignation you should request a job reference in your letter. Something along the lines of:

"I appreciate the opportunity this company has given me for growth and personal enrichment. [or] Thank you for the opportunities you have given me. I would appreciate a letter of recommendation at your earliest convenience so that I may pursue my career further." or some similarly worded letter.

Although it is always best to ask for a reference in your letter of resignation, there are still ways to save the day and ask for a good job reference.

Try to leave your place of employment on good terms. If at all possible, give two weeks notice prior to your departure. Have a list of what the company has done for you (all good of course) and what you have done for the company (again, all good). Tell them how much you appreciated working there. Tell them what skills you have gained by working there and that you would appreciate a letter of recommendation mentioning some of those new skills.

Praise the company. Be very polite and try not to put a time limit on your request (I.e. "I need it tomorrow"). Ask them if a prospective employer could give them a call since you do not have a letter of recommendation (sometimes they will then offer you a letter of recommendation). Talk to a "higher up" friend in another department and explain the situation. Sometimes they can assist you in obtaining a good letter of recommendation. If you are fired or terminated, ask for a letter of recommendation. You could say something like:

"Although you have just terminated my position, I would really appreciate a letter of recommendation as I will be on unemployment for a time and obtaining a new job will require some time and effort. A letter would really help me to reduce that time." Since the company has to pay for that unemployment they are usually willing to accommodate your request. Ask them to highlight your positive skills when writing this letter.