Getting a reference letter is far more difficult and often a source of much anxiety. Whom to ask, how to ask, what to say?
(要一封牛推看起來十分困難，問誰要?怎么要?都是十分值得考究的)
But getting an outstanding reference letter is entirely within your control and easier than you think, even if you don't have a benevolent benefactor at your back.
(其實，就算你不是李剛，也沒有樂善好施的干爹教授，獲得一封完美的推薦信是完全比想象中容易而且可以控制的)
Here are three tips to ensure your mentor, former boss, or academic counselor writes you a rave review:
1. Highlight their qualifications
2. Provide a template
3. Offer a "no questions asked"
(向你的導師，老板，教授有3大要點，
1.強調(diào)他們的NB之處
2.提供一個摸版
3.不要用疑問句，用祈使句)
policy
Let's look at each of these individually:
Highlight their Qualifications
(1.強調(diào)對方亮點)
When reaching out to ask for a letter of reference, explain up front and center why it is that you value that person's opinion and respect their professional expertise enough so that you chose them (of all people) to vouch for you in your next professional endeavor.
Beyond mere flattery, show why you think that person is uniquely qualified to accurately assess and communicate your personal contribution to your future organization. Why did you enjoy working for them, and why do you value their opinion? Why do you look up to them? How do the qualities match your own, or speak to the authority you want your recommendation to convey?
(為什么對方的推薦信能適合你給你帶來好處?不要純拍馬*，寫出來你當時怎么喜歡和他一起共事，他們?nèi)绾纹ヅ淠愕模鹊?
Provide a Template
(2.提供摸版)
It's almost impossible to get a good reference letter from someone if you don't provide the tools necessary for them to actually write a good letter. It's also terribly inconsiderate not to give ample guidance. The last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours or days thinking about and drafting a letter which you yourself could have composed far better and more readily in about half the time.
Providing a template, therefore — an outline, bullet points, or even a fully-baked draft — of what you'd like the reference letter to say is the most effective (not to mention generous and thoughtful) approach to asking for a letter of reference. The goal isn't to put words into your former colleague's mouth or to co-opt her into vouching for you in an untrue or disingenuous manner; it's simply to do some of the work for her and provide all of the pertinent data points that you'd like included in the letter. Moreover, as boastful, bragging or full of yourself you may feel writing your own referral, often people will be even more generous than you will when talking about your skills and contribution to an organization. So go ahead and toot your own horn.
