Is there a such thing as asking for reference letter too soon?

[Claydees]

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Hi,

Just wondering about this. Just finished a summer job a week and a half ago and now I want to do some volunteer programs at my school and at different places...would it be okay to ask my employer from a week and a half ago for a reference letter already? She did tell me anytime you need a reference just let me know...but I don't know how literally to take that. 1 week and 2 days is kind of a quick turnaround to already be asking for a favour. Or is it not? Don't know how the formality of this works or if there is one to begin with.

 

[Koalafied]

Hi,

Just wondering about this. Just finished a summer job a week and a half ago and now I want to do some volunteer programs at my school and at different places...would it be okay to ask my employer from a week and a half ago for a reference letter already? She did tell me anytime you need a reference just let me know...but I don't know how literally to take that. 1 week and 2 days is kind of a quick turnaround to already be asking for a favour. Or is it not? Don't know how the formality of this works or if there is one to begin with.

Notifying your employer in advance would surely reduce the awkwardness and would also do you a big favor.🙂

 

[Claydees]

Most definitely, so you don't think how soon I'm asking after finishing the job is a big deal basically?

 

[doc toothache]

Hi,Just wondering about this. Just finished a summer job a week and a half ago and now I want to do some volunteer programs at my school and at different places...would it be okay to ask my employer from a week and a half ago for a reference letter already? She did tell me anytime you need a reference just let me know...but I don't know how literally to take that. 1 week and 2 days is kind of a quick turnaround to already be asking for a favour. Or is it not? Don't know how the formality of this works or if there is one to begin with.

She may have been referring for a reference, should you be looking for another job, since she may not necessarily be the kind of lor you will for ds.

 

[upcomingcycle]

When will you be applying? If you're applying in the next cycle for class of 2019, you should definitely set up an Interfolio account and start collecting those LORs. Somewhere on this website, someone compiled a list of what LORs different schools require. The general consensus is 2 science, 1 dentist. There are variations like employer, spiritual leader, liberal arts, research PI, 3 science, and even specifying 1 bio and 1 chem.

Anyway, I definitely think that you should ask now and have your employer upload the letter to Interfolio. It's better to ask way in advance when you're still fresh in the employer's head - he know what kind of a person you are or a special project that you excelled on, etc. The same can't be said a year from now and the employer might end up writing a generic LOR.

So ask now, set up (& pay for) an Interfolio account now, and get it uploaded there. Later on when you apply, you'll have LORs for you to pick and choose from.

 

[Claydees]

Thanks guys. As I mentioned, I was planning to use her in this case just when applying to places like dental clinics and in applying to volunteer places on my university campus...not for dental school since she's neither a prof nor dentist. Either way, I get the impression there is no real bad stigma associated with asking for a reference as soon as possible. Upcoming, you made a really good point with the whole fresh in her mind thing. Don't know why I wasn't thinking of that instead of the possible "etiquette" when I originally posted. Need to rewire my thinking clearly.