Asking someone to be a reference...

[ferriscj24]

Quick and easy question for you all. What would be the best way to ask someone such as a Professor here at my University or some other person of higher stature to be a reference for me on an application. Would it be better to send them an E-Mail so they dont feel "on the spot" or required to say yes, or in person professionally?

[Barenaked]

I would say in person.

[Toeknee112]

ALWAYS in person.

[md123]

In person. Make sure this person will give you a good reference. Ask if "they would feel comfortable giving you a good reference . . ." I know this sounds basic, but you would be surprised at what some people give, or expect for job references.

[ferriscj24]

I guess in person i feel that they might feel like their on the spot and have to say yes or dont want to dissappoint...

[metallicat]

I guess in person i feel that they might feel like their on the spot and have to say yes or dont want to dissappoint...

Then you have the reference you want anyways! :D

[ogdogg16]

lol cat

[mcsap]

If you asked me by email to be a reference , I would only give you a reference by email !!

Ask in person , if you don't know them well enough to ask them in person, you shouldn't ask them to begin with !

[ferriscj24]

Ok, its unanimous....thanks for the suggestions!!

Jason

[P01IC3M4N]

you need to learn how to suck up. in other words, be a salesman.

"mr. reference, i'm applying with a police department. they weigh a lot of their decision based upon the reference. i was thinking about the most credible and admirable people i know, and your name popped in my head. would it be a problem if i used you as a reference? i think i could easily get the job if they heard your support of me."

i had a friend who was one of my references. i forgot to tell him about one. when a letter from an SO came in the mail, he thought he'd gotten a ticket he'd long forgotten about. D'OH!

[Jynkxxie]

I have emailed, when I did not want to put people on the spot, yes. However, all of them remembered me, and I had a good repore (sp) with them. So when I did email them, they recognized my name, and had a chance to say yes or no. If they said yes, interaction was by phone then.

[DltUNH]

One thing I did once with a professor that I hardly knew, but knew he'd be a great reference because he was a dean, member of political committees as well as ran a program called Justiceworks (look for a link at a later date). I knew that having him on my application would just look really good. So I e-mailed him and asked if I could tell him about this program I was interested in, and asked if he could give me some advice on it. We set up a time through a few follow up e-mails, and at that time I told him about the in's and out's of the position and how it would help my career. He told me that he enjoyed talking with me and was glad to do it. Not only has he helped me with that, but he has become my 2nd advisor, and him and I talk about things that are in no way relted to my majors. So by having that face time set up in that manner it really helped to get to know eachother, and he can now write something other than a generic reference. I could also tell that he did not feel pressured to say yes. At all the other times I have asked in person, but that was one case that helped to at least start the process by email

DLT

[Zohar]

I recommending doing it in person. If you are asking a professor, I recommend you bring a copy of some work you did (graded with comments, preferably positive :D) in case they are having trouble remembering you. Seeing things like:
"Great job!" or "Damn, that's a mighty fine essay!" in their handwriting helps refresh their memory if they are a bit foggy ;)