{"id":"ind-job-reference-request-email","audience":"job-seekers","category":"writing-emails","technique":"context","title":"Ask a former manager to be a reference, with reminders","free":false,"task":"You need a former manager to be a reference. Write the email under 100 words, plain text: the ask, who will call and by when in the first two sentences, then exactly 2 bullets reminding her of projects worth mentioning, then an easy way to say no. Use the corrected recruiter name and deadline. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.","materialLabel":"Your notes (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"MY NOTES (Jenna Moreau)\nAsking: Carla Whitmore, my manager at Lakeshore Library (2021-2024). Haven't talked since I left, but we got along well.\n\nJob I'm up for: Youth Services Librarian, Fairhaven Public Library (final round done).\nRecruiter said a reference call would come from \"Mike Dunn\" by Nov 14.\nCORRECTION (recruiter's follow-up email): it's Michelle Dunn, HR, and calls will happen by Nov 19.\n\nProjects Carla would remember:\n- I started the teen book club, grew it from 4 to 22 regulars in a year.\n- I ran the summer reading program in 2023: 640 kids signed up, up from 410.\n- I also reorganized the storage closet (probably not worth mentioning).\n\nOther:\n- She might be busy; she's a branch director now.\n- Phone number I gave for her: 555-0116 (her cell, she said I could use it).","rules":[{"type":"maxBullets","max":2},{"type":"maxWords","max":100},{"type":"plainText"}],"mistakes":[{"title":"No fixed shape","why":"The AI writes a long catch-up email with headings and every project.","fix":"Be exact: \"First two sentences the ask, then exactly 2 bullets.\"","checks":["maxBullets","plainText"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting. Ask for \"under 100 words\" and it often lands well over.","fix":"Cap each part instead: \"each bullet under 14 words, other sentences under 18.\"","checks":["maxWords"]},{"title":"Burying the ask","why":"The AI opens with catching up, and the reference request lands in paragraph three.","fix":"Add: \"First two sentences: the ask, who calls, and by when.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Using the first name and date","why":"The notes say Mike Dunn and Nov 14 before the correction.","fix":"Add: \"Michelle Dunn, HR, will call by Nov 19.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Too many or vague reminders","why":"The AI lists every project, including the closet, or skips the numbers.","fix":"Add: \"2 bullets: book club 4 to 22, summer reading 640 kids.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"No easy out","why":"Without a graceful exit, a busy person may just not reply.","fix":"Add: \"End with an easy way to say no.\"","checks":["r2"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Leads with the ask","patterns":["first (two )?sentences?","lead with","start with","ask first"]},{"label":"Uses the correction","patterns":["michelle","nov(ember)? 19","correct"]},{"label":"Limits the reminders","patterns":["\\b(2|two)\\b.{0,15}bullet","bullet.{0,20}\\b(2|two)\\b"]},{"label":"Gives an easy out","patterns":["easy (way|out)","say no","no worries","no pressure"]},{"label":"Sets a word limit","patterns":["\\d+\\s*words","word (limit|count)"]}],"hint":"A busy former boss will help if it's easy. Tell the AI to lead with the ask, give exact reminders, and offer a graceful way out.","rubricLabels":["Within the first two sentences, asks Carla to be a reference for the Youth Services Librarian role and says Michelle Dunn (HR) will call by Nov 19 (never Mike Dunn or Nov 14)","Has exactly 2 bullets: the teen book club growing from 4 to 22 regulars, and the 2023 summer reading program with 640 kids (up from 410); the storage closet isn't mentioned","Gives her an easy way to say no (like 'no worries if the timing doesn't work') and doesn't pressure her"]}