Interviewing Procedures for Letters of Recommendation (see Google, counselor, teachers, etc. for more ideas) ‘14ff.

What makes up a good letter of recommendation (the longer and more specific, the better--no more than one page):

What helps: 1. Provide specific information about the applicant—information that recipients can use to determine the applicant’s strengths and that will help gain the applicant’s goal (job, college acceptance, scholarship, etc.). 2. Provide some context of how the writer knows the applicant—class, research, work, civic, or other context—and for what period of time the writer has known the applicant. 3. Show that the writer knows the applicant personally. For example, incidents or actions that are unique to this relationship are more credible than information that could be gathered from the resume. 4. Point to specific examples of what the applicant has done. (If the student wrote a brilliant paper, mention its topic and why it stood out. If the student did outstanding work in another area, explain the nature of this work and its particular strengths, especially as they relate to the goals of the applicant.) 5. Discuss why the applicant would be a strong candidate for the specific job (etc.). How does this candidate exemplify the personal qualities or selection criteria specified by the organization? Specific examples are crucial. 6. Indicate what particularly qualifies the student for the course of study or project that the applicant is proposing. Such letters provide the links between past performance and what is proposed. 7. Place the student in a larger context. For example, a letter could compare the present applicant to others who have applied for similar honors in the past or who have succeeded in such competitions. If possible, the student can be compared to graduate students or professionals. Quantitative remarks and percentages may be useful: “among the three best students I have taught,” “top 5% of students in my 20 years of teaching.” The strongest comparisons have the widest reach: “among the best in my x years of teaching” is stronger than “the best in his/her section.” 8. Draw on the remarks of colleagues for supporting evidence or the acknowledgement of specific strengths. Letters from professors may also draw on the comments from teaching assistants who may have worked more closely with the applicants

What hurts: 1. Letters that are too short, that fail to provide specific examples or instances of points mentioned. 2. Generic letters or letters for another purpose sent without regard to the specific fellowship, course of study, or project proposed. 3. Letters that merely summarize information available elsewhere in the application or that only present the student’s grade or rank in a class. 4. Letters that focus too much on the context of how the writer knows the applicant (descriptions of the course or its approaches) and not sufficiently on the student and his or her accomplishments. 5. Letters that consist largely of unsupported praise. Kind words that do not give committees a strong sense of how applicants have distinguished themselves are not helpful. 6. Letters that only give faint praise. It is not helpful to say that a student did what might be expected (completed all the reading assignments) or that point to qualities (punctuality, enthusiasm, presentability) not related to the purpose). 7. Letters that focus on experiences that happened quite a few years ago. Even letters from writers with long standing relationships with the applicant need to be as current and forward-looking as possible. 8. Letters that may be read as implying criticism (beware of left-handed compliments) or whose criticisms might be taken to indicate stronger reservations than stated. Letters should be honest—and honest criticism, if generously presented, can enhance the force of a letter—but committees take critical comments very seriously. It is best to be cautious when making critical remarks or anything that may keep person from achieving desired goal.

If you need help interviewing a classmate (etc.) for letters of recommendation:

1. Have correct spelling for name, check person's schedule (if not in same class). Do research if necessary on interviewee and practice interviewing relative if necessary before actual interview of classmate. For future reference: Always identify yourself/your affiliation and purpose of the interview along with how much time you need. 2. (If not in same classroom, call, text, e-mail, or meet person at mutually convenient time to set up best interview time and have questions with you if you go in person in case he/she can talk then).

3. Check location and be on time or a little early. Give firm handshake and good eye contact. Ask permission to record it as well as take legible notes on main points in case recording fails (go over them afterward ASAP). Ideally: take laptop with you.

4. Always ask specific “open-ended questions if you don’t know the activities he/she was involved in (for example), especially “why”!! (Not yes/no)--Have specific, intelligent questions or "questionnaire." Ask "What do you think about...?" Don’t argue/challenge; listen! Be interested, pleasant, smile, relax. Don’t chew gum.

5. Thank your subject and type up notes ASAP--the same day or next day, give first draft to someone to edit, preferably an adult or top student. Check spelling/grammar/punctuation and whether or not it will help the subject achieve his/her purpose.

Misc. tips (for interviews too): Dress/speak appropriately, be courteous, considerate of person’s time (don’t waste it), be persistent and thorough. If person doesn’t want something included in article and you agree, keep your word! Don’t be sued or disciplined unnecessarily.

Sample Student Questions (Google sample letters for more ideas--(don’t just copy and change name but note what’s included:)

1. Who is the person I’m addressing this to?

2. What job/position are you applying for?

3. What experiences do you have in the area you’re applying for?

4. What clubs/activities were you involved in that show your skills/abilities related to the position you’re applying for?

5. What are your specific future plans (college/job)?

6. What obstacles have you overcome in life to reach your goals in general/one specific one relating to application?

7. Is there anything else you want to add I haven’t asked that will help you achieve your goal? If so, what?

Assignment: Pair up with someone (preferably in the class) with whom to exchange interviews/letters of recommendation person/topic off article list, tell editor/advisor, and set up interview today. Due tomorrow (______). If you want to do your own letter of recommendation, see me for help. Sample Letter of Recommendation (don’t just copy and change names; make sure it fits person)

Feb. 25, 2016

Eric Pustejovsky, principal Abbott High School 219 S. First Abbott, TX 76621

Mr. Pustejovsky:

I understand (name) is applying for the position of ____ at Abbott High School, and I would like to recommend him/her for it because I have known him/her since ___ when we attended MHS together and believe he/she would do well because of the following information.

When we were in the same class, I was impressed by his/her ability to… He/She was never tardy to class, had his/her work finished on time, and made sure to volunteer for tutorials whenever possible, especially in Mr./Mrs. ___’s class.

___ has lived in the Abbott area for most of his/her life and attended schools in the district all 13 years (even serving as ______in the ___ Club and lettering in ____) and has taken the time to be involved in the local community and his/her church as ___. I remember his/her receiving awards in ___ as well as being on the Honor Roll all four years.

____ has shown his/her commitment to the educational future of the district’s students, and as an active participant in many community services through FFA while in school and in/at ___ afterward, so I think he/she would be a tremendous asset to the school and your district, and I recommend her to you without reservation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Mary Smith 119 First St. Abbott, TX 76557 254-582-5555 [email protected]