Request Reference from a supervisor 4 years ago

laptop

I am unemployed and recently completed my degree in IT.

Recently, I worked under contract for a few months however the job ended last month without renewal. I have little-to-zero work experience.

In 2006, I did a co-op work term for a few months at an IT company. I have my supervisor and manager on my linkedin.com account. However, I am afraid to ask them for a reference. My supervisor worked very closely with me but I'm not sure if he will provide a positive reference. The problem was that I was a student at that time which I was not too knowledgeable on the job. I was mostly there gaining experience than providing value to the company. At the same time, my manager does not know what are my exact duties, responsibilities, behavior, attitude, and work ethic because my supervisor assigned all of the tasks.

I am now applying for jobs and I did not get an offer at some place because I didn't provide a reference from this co-op job. I am also lacking a lot of confidence in applying for jobs due to the fact that i have almost no processional-related references.

1. I would really like to ask either my manager or supervisor. But, I am afraid to ask because it has been MANY years. Which one do you think is more appropriate to ask to be my reference?

2. If I send a message to him/her on linkedin.com, what should I write? I'm kind of nervous...Is a 2-3 sentence statement enough to ask and be my reference? or should I write an entire paragraph explaining what I did throughout these years? (I just feel akward to send that e-mail)

I am really scared to ask and I need support from experts on this forum. thanks in advance for reading and hopefully someone could help me.

networker050184

Just send them the question. A couple sentences should be fine. Don't be afraid, worst they will say is no.

skrpune

If you can, call them. Emails are way too easy to ignore or miss, and phone calls are much more personable. Or you can try both - send a message on LinkedIn or via email as a heads up and then follow up with a call.

I had to go through this last year when I was job hunting. It's a little daunting at first, but you can do it. With most, I started out with emails to say (paraphrasing here) "Hey, how are you, long time no speak, hope you are well...here's what's up with me, I'm back on the job hunt after a relocation and was wondering if I could use you as a reference. Can I call you so we can chat & catch up?"

With those that I already had OLD letters of recommendation from, I found their current contact/company information and emailed/called to catch up and asked them if I could still use them as a reference.

Be personable but not too chummy, and just let them know that you are back on the job hunt after completing your education and would appreciate if they would serve as a reference and/or provide a letter of recommendation for you.

If they DO say they will provide a letter, then that's your preview of what they might say when asked for a verbal reference...this probably goes without saying, but if you don't like what you see on the letter, do NOT list them as a reference that potential employers can call!

If at all possible, get letters of recommendation from people - even if they're older or from not so glamorous positions, a glowing recommendation in writing from a former boss is a great endorsement and can show potential employers a pattern of success. I have one from a manager I worked with for a mere 5-6 months, and he was notoriously cranky and hard to deal with and a cajone-buster. He said I was the best project coordinator he's had in 20+ years. I may no longer be in construction, but the fact that I could get a letter like that (unsolicited no less, he just handed it to me before I left the company) speaks volumes and crosses industry lines. I keep that one safely filed away with my other letters from past employers, and I bust them out whenever I'm asked for references.