Recommendation Letters and Reference Requests

Students are encouraged to ask supervisors to serve as an employment reference. Helpful Tips:

• Let your supervisor know the type of positions to which you will be applying.
• Give your supervisor an idea of what you'd like your supervisor to say about you as a candidate.
• If you need your supervisor to write you a letter of recommendation, ask at least two weeks in advance and provide the contact's name, address, and any instructions regarding the submission of the letter.

Bowdoin strongly encourages campus supervisors to serve as a reference for student employees. Different from an employment verification, you may provide letters of recommendation or serve as a phone reference for your student workers.  Below are a few guidelines.

• Whenever possible, please use Bowdoin letterhead.
• Be truthful and positive. 
• Be honest with students. Decline requests if you are unable to offer a positive letter of recommendation. Encourage the student to seek an alternate sources of reference.
• A letter of reference should not include rates of pay, medical history, or reasons for the student leaving the position. Requests for salary information or employment verification should be referred to SEO.
• Questions about what may be appropriate or requests for review and guidance may be directed to SEO.