In your job search or business activities, you may hear people mention letters of recommendation, but do you really understand what it is? Do you understand how this #careertool can truly help to distinguish you from other candidates in the job market or in business, if you’re an entrepreneur? The title “Self-Praise sound conceited…Why letters of recommendation can boost your Professional Reputation”, speaks to how others view you and its influence on the new professional relationships you cultivate interviews and business meetings.

I don’t want to assume that everyone reading or listening to this post knows what a letter of recommendation is, so let me explain. A letter of recommendation is a letter written by a person(s) who have experienced working with you in a professional capacity and writes a letter communicating how they felt about the work you do, the way it which you do it and how they felt your work positively affected them and the organization you are both associated with. It’s not be textbook definition, but it gives you a better idea of what the letter of recommendation is and what’s included. Now, let’s talk about how this career tool can help you in your career and business ventures.

Your career and your business life cannot survive without other people. I know you wanted to think otherwise, but nothing can be further from the truth. In your career, you need people who will create and offer job/career opportunities. In business, you will need people to market your business to and continuously patronize your business, if you ever hope to keep your business alive. So taking the time to understanding how people work and what they respond to helps you utilize your career tools strategically. The letter of recommendation is no different. There are two major questions that your letters of recommendation will answer for your future employers or new business relationship, if it is structured correctly. Here are the questions:

1. Can this candidate or possible business partner do what their resume or professional snapshot says they can do?

The letter of recommendation written by an individual you worked with or worked for in a job, contract position or voluntary capacity answers the question of what you can do. Your skills and qualifications are validated in the letter of recommendation because it is discussed. The individual should reference two or three of your core skills and qualifications for the industry you have experience or education. This give the business person or interview another person’s perspective on your qualifications and how it will benefit their organization.

2. What is the work ethic or personality type of this person that I cannot find out from this interview?

Since the person writing the letter of recommendation is someone you have previously worked with some capacity, then they should also reference information about your “positive” or “energetic” personality. The person should also reference your strong work ethic and overall attitude of getting the job done well and quickly. These type of phrases in the letters or recommendation will communicate to the future employer or future business partner that you have the aptitude to meet their business needs because of how you work. It is vital to understand that someone else speaking on your behalf automatically bears more weight that you speaking for yourself.

Overall, the letters of recommendation will positively enhance your reputation without you saying a word. Other people you have worked with validates your experience, work ethic and overall qualifications, so it is extremely vital that you use letters of recommendation in your career strategy, especially during job interviews. I want you to know I am hear to help you to become a better version of yourself, professionally. If you need help with getting your letters of recommendation completed or reviewed to make sure this career tool is working for you, then check out the career tools review resource .

As always, if you have additional questions, please feel free to leave me a voicemail message by clicking the grab tab at the side of the screen or written message by clicking here.