Why you should write your own letter of recommendation

Are you stuck? The first step in making a career change is self reflection.

One way to describe yourself and your transferable skills and what you have in mind for the future is to write your own letter of recommendation instead of asking me to do it. Sometimes a accept and sometimes I deny the request.

Getting a recommendation from someone who works where you want to work is an effective strategy. Many people who?have advertised their layoffs?on LinkedIn and?other online networking forums?say it can quickly lead to job referrals from recruiters and employees at other companies and, soon, actual offers. In a study of recruiting practices at more than 1,000 mid- and large-size companies by talent-management software firm SilkRoad Technology Inc., employee referrals accounted for more than 30% of all hires.

In some instances, I will refuse to write a letter of recommendation.

If I accept, I usually ask the person to write and send me a draft of the letter they want to send to someone or post on LinkedIn.

Here are some things to consider is you don't feel comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for someone.

Here are some tips on how to write your own letter of recommendation. (HINT: Keep it simple and focused) But why should you do it.

Here is how to use ChatGPT to write your own letter of recommendation and resume.

1. It saves me the trouble of doing it
2. You know yourself a whole lot better than I do
3. It makes you think about why someone would want to hire you
4. It gives you some ideas about where your blind spots and skills gaps are once you have read the job description of a potential job
5. You will do a much better job than I would
6. It will give you the chance to use key words that will drive AI resume scanners
7. You can link to your personal website and other online social media sites that I don't know about
8. You can delete social media posts and sites that are not flattering
9. It will force you to buff up your resume and coordinate it with your about me section on Linked profile for a particular job
10. You can use if for a personal statement, even if they are falling out of favor and a waste of time
11. It is another way to be kind to yourself and cultivate your inner advocate
12. It will help you get over your imposter syndrome and tell people about all those transferable skills you have
13. It will help you practice your answer when someone asks you, "So, tell me about yourself"

While you are at it, you should also write your own performance appraisal.

If you are taking the long view, then write your own obituary. If that's too heavy a lift at your stage of the game, then just write your own letter of recommendation before you must request one and ask someone you know, like and trust to send it to you at the appropriate time. I heartily recommend it.

Or you can just use ChatGPT to do it for you.

Arlen Meyers, MD. MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs and at Substack