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Establishing a Credentials File and Obtaining Letters of Recommendation

Career Services welcomes students to all of its facilities. The Career Library contains extensive information on openings, specific districts, further education, as well as alternative careers.   Names of superintendents and addresses of all U.S. school districts are available to you.  Workshops are provided on all job search skills including resume writing, interviewing, cover letters; resume and cover letter critiques are available on an ongoing basis.  Additional services include a computerized guidance system and educational job search manuals.

Your credentials are the official reference files established and maintained by you and Career Services to support your current and future employment applications.  Your file is forwarded to prospective employers at your written request or at the written request of the employing institution.  Letters may be added to your file at any time.  Credential files must be kept up to date: when you change employment or responsibilities, new current letters should be submitted.  All materials in your file should be professionally prepared: typed, error free, and attractive to the reader.

Payment of $60.00 activates your file for one calendar year or 20 mailings, whichever comes first.  All requests for credentials must be in writing with complete mailing address and zip code.  Please include your address, identification number or social security number, and telephone number so that Career Services may contact you if necessary.

Resumes and References 

Career Services does not send out copies of your resume; rather, you should enclose a copy with your application.  You should continually update your resume to reflect your additional achievements and accomplishments.

A minimum of three references is recommended:  candidates are encouraged to acquire more letters, allowing the candidate to select appropriate letters for each district to which the file is mailed.   It is very important to give your recommenders sufficient lead time in which to write your letter.  Two weeks should be considered the minimum. 

While some professors may ask you to fill out an information sheet to guide them in their letter writing, at the very least, you should offer your professors a copy of your resume when you provide them the official forms upon which their recommendation must be submitted.  When you request written references, it is important to discuss the purpose of the recommendation and whether the writer can support you in his or her letter. 

Transcripts and Certification Documents

Transcripts are an official document obtained only with a written request to the Registrar’s Office. Career Services will not send any transcripts or copies of certification documents. It is suggested that candidates make multiple copies of these documents; unofficial copies may be sufficient for initial employment applications.

Confidential versus Non-Confidential Files

Pursuant to Public Law 93-380, references written on or after January l, 1975, are open for inspection by the candidate unless that candidate has waived right to access.  If a letter, or all letters, include a signed waiver of right of access, you may not see the information that was provided; this is a permanent decision.  A confidential or non-confidential file is your personal choice; however, professors may refuse to write a letter for you unless you agree to waive your write to access.