How to Ask for a Reference Letter
Added 2026-10-30
Prepare what they need to write so a willing person can finish in ten minutes.
I want to ask a former colleague or manager for a reference letter. I will give our relationship, what I am applying for, and two points I hope they emphasise. Write a request message under 150 words: 1) the purpose and deadline; 2) recall one specific collaboration so they remember details; 3) name the two strengths and pair each with a fact I supply; 4) say I will prepare a draft or bullet points so they only need to edit; 5) leave an easy, non-awkward way to decline.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
让对方「十分钟能写完」，答应率会高很多。
Try tweaking it
- Rewrite each experience as action + result + verifiable number.
- Have it gather the job requirements first, then rewrite against them.
What you should get
- Rewritten bullets: action, result, number
- Likely follow-up questions and how to answer
Common mistakes
- Asking it to "optimise the CV", and every line starts sounding like a template.
- Adding projects you never did — it falls apart in the first interview.
How to check the output
- Each line is action + result + number, and you can defend the details.
- Nothing you did not actually do has been added.
Where it works
- Good for: rewriting experience as action + result + verifiable metric for CVs and interviews.
- Watch out: metrics must be real; AI can phrase them, not invent them.