I've searched tww's lounge and here and no luck. I wanted to get people's opinions on them and if they are useful or pointless to send out with your resumes etc.

while I am at it, what do you normally send in your initial packet?
I do cover letter, resume, transcript from grad school but that is it.

thanks for the help and sorry about another job thread.

11/18/2008 6:55:54 PM

depends on what field and what type of job you're applying for. more info?

11/18/2008 7:03:42 PM

i recommend these letters. probably 2 or three job related ones and one or 2 personal ones. but usually you just put the statement "recommendation letters on request" on your resume

11/20/2008 5:28:39 PM

for the jobs I've gotten I just included references, and the prospective employer would contact them and either speak with them personally or get an email. Never included it beforehand. Kinda pointless if the letter says shit that really has no bearing on the actual position or what the prospective employer might want to know.

11/20/2008 11:36:54 PM

From my experience: when you have references on your resume, the hiring company will contact them with their own rather extensive list of questions. This results in something that is a very tailored recommendation letter that is very useful to the hiring company.

11/21/2008 11:57:55 AM

The only time I might consider a recommendation letter is when the person writing it has the sort of weight with the employer you're targeting to make a real difference from the get go. Say, perhaps the former, respected head of a particular program or department. Then again, if you were getting a favor from that sort of individual to begin with, they'd probably just make the call or send a letter themselves through back channels to help... grease the skids.

11/21/2008 1:21:41 PM

I've never included them with a resume but always ask for them when leaving a job.

11/21/2008 1:44:38 PM

my resume says references upon request. so should i just include them then. Waiting on one boss to e-mail me back his ref., then mentioned it to my advisor but said no rush, he said he'd be a reference though.

11/21/2008 10:25:16 PM

I never included them....but if you actually get the job, you might have to provide them then (that is what happened to me).

11/25/2008 2:30:06 PM

You can just say upon request if you want. I've included them before and still had the employer ask me for references they could call. Either way it doesn't really matter.

12/2/2008 10:23:58 AM

In general, have references available, but never give unless explicitly asked to and when asked to. Should have a minimum of three references that wouldn't mind a phone call or email:

- Somebody who has supervised you
- Somebody who has worked with (but not supervised) you
- Personal / non-family reference

#1 was my manager from my job. #2 was an student organization adviser. #3 was my academic adviser, whom I got to know (and still know) fairly well. Had 2 "alternates" for each slot as well should the primary be unavailable. Primary should NOT be somebody who works 12 hours a day and has difficulty answering communications in a timely fashion (thus YMMV if choosing a profesor).

Written letters of recommendation that need to be signed / sealed are a one-time deal. Save them only for when they are down to 2 or 3 people (including yourself) for consideration of a position you REALLY want.

Career Center can best answer these questions moreso than anybody. Good luck!

12/30/2008 9:26:47 AM