<p>Hey guys!
My summer internship is about to end and I would love to ask my boss for a recommendation letter for the future. We have a great relationship, so I know he wouldn't mind. However, I'm not sure of the "proper" way to ask him?</p>
<p>I won't need one for another few years and I won't be returning to this same internship. I'm concerned if I ask him one down the road, his memory won't be as clear as of the work I did or other personal details of the time I spent interning.</p>
<p>I was going through another thread and someone suggested asking for a general rec letter when you leave and then having specifics added down the road when you need it. So it won't be a completely pre-written one, but rather a template that he can use and add details to in the future. </p>
<p>But I'm not sure if this would be the a good way to approach it or not...and am trying to get more opinions/advice on this matter. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>There’s a few ways to approach it and each entirely depends on the type of relationship you guys sustained. I can tell you how I did my two rec letters, and both are acceptable methods. The first one I asked for was from a professor that I had a class with almost 3 years ago… to jog his memory I explained what major contributions I made in his class (it was an intro to engineering so mainly projects) and he wrote the letter from both memory and the material I sent to him. The other letter of recommendation came from my previous commanding officer (I’m in the military), and I basically wrote a polished letter for him and asked if he felt that it wasn’t entirely fitting if he could edit it… fortunately he didn’t change anything. </p>
<p>Another option is to do as you said - write a general letter and have your employer fill in the rest. As I mentioned, the option you choose should be decided on you depending on your relationship. I knew I could get away with writing a polished letter to my CO because we worked together for nearly two years. The other letter was requested out of the blue and I didn’t have a close relationship so I asked him to write the letter.</p>
<p>My honest opinion is to ask him which method he would prefer. Lay out the options and tell him which one your most comfortable with and you both can agree on a solution. It shows maturity and that you are willing to take initiative. Most employers want to help you if they like you. In any case, good luck!</p>
<p>That’s a good question. My summer internship is also about to end, and I was just thinking about the same thing. If the relationship you have with your boss is as good as you say, I don’t think he would be offended if you asked him now. In fact, that’s actually a great idea. I may end up doing that same thing.</p>
<p>Awesome - thank you so much for the advice! That sounds like a fantastic idea - laying the two options out for him and asking him for his preference. </p>
<p>Sorry to ask another question, but when you do think would be an appropriate time to bring this up? I have about two weeks left and well, needless to say, I don’t think it would be a good idea to surprise anyone on the last day to bring this up. Advice on timing? Thanks again! : )</p>
<p>I think the best way is to ask your boss now for a letter and have him/her adress it as: “To whom it may concern” that way he writes it while you are still fresh in his head and you have the letter for use anytime</p>
<p>I would definitely bring it up before you. I just finished an internship last week, and before I left the boss told me if I ever needed a rec letter this fall I could just stop by (I live 10 min away).</p>