you would also have some recent experience with children, such as PTA, community activities, your children or perhaps a recent teaching related practicum.

Whom to Ask for References

Do not give out a person's name as your reference until after you have asked that person if s/he is willing to write or be contacted for information about you.

Ask the person if s/he would be willing to write a positive letter to support your job search. If there is any hesitation, ask elsewhere.

You can get letters written “to whom it may concern,” but the most effective letters are those that direct comments toward a job description.

You will help your reference writers if you give them a current resume and, if possible, the description of the job. By seeing your resume, the writer can reinforce the way in which you are presenting yourself. The resume would also remind them of your experiences.

Ask for a letter. Don't just leave a blank form on a reference writer's desk. Include a stamped addressed envelope for the writer to mail the letter to the employer or to you. If the employer does not require the letter to be sent directly from the writer to the employer, keep the original letter for your file and send a photocopy to the employer in your application packet. Of course, if the letter is addressed to a specific employer do not use it for a second employer. For that reason, it may be to your advantage to get “ to whom it may concern” letters in your initial job search.

Don't forget to write a thank you letter to persons who give recommendations for you, just as you do for everyone who helps you along your job search.

Tips for Reference Writers

•  Indicate how you know this person.

•  Give some hint of your qualifications to speak about skills in this field.

•  Give evidence/examples/stories of the adjectives you use to describe this person's attributes.

•  Give factual information.

•  Indicate how you may be contacted for more information. Keep a copy.

•  The appearance of your evaluation/letter is a reflection on you and the person about whom you are writing. Type it.

The following web sites have tips for writing letters of reference:

•  http://www.jobweb.org/catapult/reftips.html

•  http://darkstar.engr.wisc.edu/zwickel/397/refltr.html

•  http://content.monster.co.uk/cv/resources/recommendation/

Portfolios - a Visual Representation of Your Abilities

A portfolio may:

•  be used to support your job search;

•  provide evidence for a promotion or raise;

•  show samples of your art, design, consulting or other projects that demonstrate your qualifications; but

•  it does not take the place of a resume, application or letter.

A portfolio is visual evidence of your capabilities in what you hope to be hired to do. You will most likely take it with you to the interview to illustrate your strengths. Like a resume, it is not meant to be a life story.

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Career Videos