Guidelines for Requesting Letters of Reference from David Huron

I am happy to write letters of reference for my students, colleagues, research collaborators and acquaintances. I realize that letters of reference can have a marked impact on job prospects, and scholarship or fellowship successes. I also realize that it is often difficult to find a suitable person to write letters.

I do my best to sing the praises of the praise-worthy, and to generate enthusiasm (where warranted) for you. I err on the side of emphasizing your strengths: it is not my role to compare you with other applicants -- that is the role of the selection or award committee.

I get asked to write innumerable letters of reference each year, so you can help me by following these guidelines:

• Please do not ask me to write a letter of reference for a job or position for which you are not really qualified. If the job description says "composer" or "historical musicologist" -- you really ought to have pertinent expertise in the advertised area. Reassure me of this by sending me a copy of the complete job description or advertisement. If I praise someone qualified for area X when the job is for area Y it makes me look foolish among my professional colleagues and reduces the effectiveness of all letters I write.
• I prefer not to write general or open letters of reference. Although it increases the number of letters I write, my preference is to write a new letter for each specific job or scholarship application.
• Send me a clear indication of the address to which the reference should be sent. I have a strong preference not to write "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Search Committee". I think it is more effective to address people by name: "Dear Dr. Smith and members of the search committe ..." If the name is not given in the ad, do a little research and find out the appropriate name. As you might imagine, I have a bias towards people who do background research.
• My memory is not always reliable. Remind me of how long we have known each other, what courses you might have taken from me, or other details about our relationship.
• Tell me about the things I don't know about you. Send me a resumé or note describing yourself. Even if I know you well, I'm often surprised by new things I didn't know, or things I'd forgotten.
• Have a strategy for what my letter should highlight and how it should complement or reinforce what other referees might say. You should have each referee emphasize a slightly different aspect about you: research, teaching, musicianship, personality, intelligence, energy, etc. Give me some guidelines: identify three or four things that you would like me to comment about. Don't be shy. Also tell me what not to say. For example, you've already asked Prof. X to comment about your teaching abilities, so there is no need for me to comment.
• Try to provide all of this information at least two weeks before the postmark deadline. (I would really prefer to have three or four weeks notice.) Send me a note a week before the deadline as a gentle reminder. (I won't be offended if you pester me, since I know these things are important.)
• Repeat all of the above for each letter or set of letters your request. I don't keep your CV on file, so send me an updated CV from time to time.

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