Cover Letters & References

Cover Letters & References

Two important— and often overlooked—components of the job search tool kit are cover letters and references. These videos shares tips on how to write a great cover letter and how to prepare your references.

Your cover letter should included the highlights from your resume/portfolio. So if you haven't watched the video on how to make a resume, start there.

Finally, preparing your references is another important way to "prove" your skills. Your references should ideally line up with the experiences you highlighted on your resume.

Pro tips on Cover Letters presented by career advisor Ann Marie Leahy.
DOWNLOAD (PDF) the presentation
Pro tips on References presented by career advisor Ann Marie Leahy.
DOWNLOAD (PDF) the presentation

Cover Letters give you the opportunity to:

  • Highlights the key skills you have that are relevant to the opportunity

  • Shows a bit of your passion and personality

  • Demonstrates your writing skills

  • Explains your interest in and/or connection to the position


PRO TIPS: If your background is not a clear match for the position a cover letter allows you to:

  • Highlights how the skills and interests you do have can benefit the company

  • Demonstrates how the classes you are currently taking add to your skills and confirm your interests

Your references should reflect your experiences.

Take a look at your resume and match your professional and academic experiences with professional (work manager/boss) or your academic (professor) references.

References

You will be asked to provide the employer:

  • Information on how to contact your references


Please Note: You need only to provide the employer your references when they ask you.



The employer will:

  • Contact your reference either by email or by phone

  • Ask questions about your qualifications for the position


Reference Letters

You may be asked to provide the employer either:

  • Information on how to contact your references

OR

  • Actual letters of recommendation



The employer will either:

  • Contact your reference either by email or by phone and ask them to submit a letter of recommendation

OR

  • Read the letters submitted for evidence about your qualifications for the position.



You must ask for permission BEFORE you list someone as a reference.

Who Should You Ask For A Reference or Reference Letters

Start by asking anyone who has supervised you at work on in a classroom to be a reference. This may include:

  • Boss at work

  • Professor

  • Club Advisor

Pro Tip: Use personal references only as a last resort.

Reference/Reference Letter Checklist

  • Provide them with your contact information. (email and phone)

  • Let them know what you are requesting.

  • Remind them how they know you. If asking faculty remember they are probably providing references for many students. You may include:

  • Your Major/Minor

  • What class you took with them and what semester and year

  • A picture of yourself if you have one (LinkedIn Profile)


  • Let them know why you have chosen them as a reference.

(let them know the skills they know about you that are relevant to the position you are applying for)

  • Provide them with the official description the position/opportunity that you are applying for.

  • Give them a copy of your resume.


  • Ask if they have any reservations about providing a reference for you. (If so, you may want to ask someone else)

  • Ask them for the phone number and email address they prefer to be contacted at.



For Reference Letters you will also need to include:

  • The due date of the letter of the recommendation


Depending on what you are applying for you may also need to:

  • Provide your references a copy of the letter(s), essay(s), or personal statement(s) that you are using for the application

  • Tell them your transfer and/or career goals

  • Tell them the criteria of the award/opportunity (usually provided on the application)

PRO TIPS:

  • Try to provide two-three weeks lead time for your references. This will also allow you time to find alternate references if the person you ask says no.)

  • Check in on your references prior to the Letters of Recommendation due date. Sometimes people get busy and forget. A gentle reminder never hurts.)

  • Have a backup reference. Sometimes your letters of recommendation writers falls through. It happens, so plan ahead.

IF THEY SAY YES:

References

Let them know WHEN and BY WHOM they may be contacted to be sure they are available at the appropriate time.


Reference Letters

Tell them HOW and BY WHEN to submit the letter of recommendation (this will be provided to you by the prospective employer).



Sample Reference Sheet

  • Keep the look of your reference list consistent with your resume. That is, use the same paper, typeface and heading format.


  • List three references in the order in which you want them to be contacted.


  • You will typically include the person's:

    • Name

    • Title

    • Employer

    • Phone number

    • Email


Pro Tips

  • Only provide the references when the employer requests them.


  • Bring copies of your reference list or letters to an interview (along with extra copies of your resume.)




First Last Name

310.555.1212 l Los Angeles, CA l First&LastName@gmail.com



LIST OF REFERENCES


Dr. Susan Brown

Professor

Department of Communications

Santa Monica College

(310) 434-8002

Brown_susan@smc.edu


Dr. Margaret Jones

Associate Professor

Department of Computer Science

Santa Monica College

(310) 434-8062

Jones_margaret@smc.edu


Victoria Mason

Store Manager

Macy’s Department Store

(424) 608-1923

Mason_victoria@macy’s.com