Requesting for a letter of recommendation can feel daunting sometimes, but you have to be objective about it. Asking for a recommendation means you are asking someone to promote your competencies ...

It’s an important skill, and how to ask for a recommendation is only one example of it. It has been often said — by me, anyway — that you are the CEO of your own graduate education.

After all, it counts for something when a STEM postdoc, for example, has a recommendation letter from a Fields medalist, a National Academy member, or a $20-million federal-grant recipient.

Address the reader using their salutation. Or address the letter "To whom it may concern" if you're writing a generic recommendation letter your co-worker could use when applying to any position.

With a few crafty steps, you can write an effective recommendation that will reflect well on both you and the person you’re supporting.

When Should You Ask for a Letter of Recommendation? Choosing the right time to ask for a letter of recommendation is a balancing act. In general, though, sooner is better.

Admissions pros highlight what makes a recommendation letter stand out.

Once students ask a teacher or counselor to write a letter of recommendation, they should allow at least two weeks for them to complete it.

Julie Schumacher’s new novel, “Dear Committee Members,” is composed entirely of letters of recommendation written by a highly inventive professor.

The “Dear Colleague” letter forced PCC to comb through its admissions and scholarship policies once again, he said, but there was nothing to change as a direct response.

While a time-consuming task for seasoned professors, it can be much more daunting for junior faculty who may never have seen a letter of recommendation before, including those sent on their behalf, ...