Stay on top of the deadline: Letters of recommendation and résumé advice from our DIB Associates

Letters of Recommendation

Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation if I have limited work experience?

We encourage you to submit two letters of recommendation from university faculty members and the third from an immediate supervisor from a professional work environment, which can include an internship. 

Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation if I have more than two years of work experience?

If you have more than two years of work experience, we recommend that two of your three letters of recommendation come from current or previous work colleagues, including a supervisor. The third letter can come from an academic reference, if possible.

Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation when applying to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program?

We understand that applicants to the MC/MPA Program may not be able to submit recommendations from university professors, given the time spent away from an academic environment. In this case, you should have colleagues or supervisors who can evaluate your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment write your letters of recommendation.

Can you offer any guidance on how long the letters should be?

Our general guidance on recommendation letter length is around 500 words; however, your recommenders are welcome to use their own judgment. What is important is that the letter has detailed information and examples about your strengths and experiences.

General Tips for Letters of Recommendation

• Ask your recommender—colleague, supervisor, or professor—if they will write your letter of recommendation well in advance of the application deadline.
• Send your recommenders your résumé and additional profile details to help them with content for the letter.
• Ask your recommenders to be as detailed as possible, providing specific examples of your work, research, internship, or classroom experience.
• All application materials—including letters of recommendation—must be submitted by Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. ET. Remind your recommenders of this important deadline.

Résumés

What information should be included in my résumé?

Your résumé should highlight the following information:

• Professional employment history, including titles and dates (months and years) for each position and relevant job responsibilities
• Academic degrees, achievements, and honors
• Volunteer, public service, and political work
• Recent leadership experiences
• Extracurricular activities (months and years) and interests

Is it okay if my résumé is several pages long?

Yes, it is okay if your résumé is several pages long, particularly if you have significant work experience. We do, however, encourage you to be concise and selective about the information you are including. Your résumé should highlight the experience and accomplishments that make you a strong candidate for a master’s program at HKS.

General Tips for Résumés

• Position the most important information towards the top of each section of your résumé.
• Maintain the same format throughout your entire résumé. Bullet points are the most common layout for explaining your experience.
• Action verbs are helpful. 
• Be as specific as possible about what you have accomplished.