Information Regarding Ethical Considerations

Occasionally, helping students in job searches can result in unanticipated illegal or unethical actions. Did you know:

• When an employer asks you to refer your best student for an internship opportunity and you do so, you may not be maintaining a “fair and equitable recruiting process?"
• If you refer students to an employer on a regular basis, you may be considered an “employment agency” in the eyes of equal opportunity laws?
• When a student asks you to provide a reference, you should obtain written permission from the student?

Check out the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Faculty Guide to Ethical and Legal Standards in Student Hiring.

Letters of Recommendation

A substantial amount of faculty time goes toward writing letters of reference, and we are happy to assist you in any way possible. We recommend against having a student draft the letter for you. This is a sample recommendation letter to look at from NACE, and some common reference letter topics to get you started:

• In what capacity and how long have you known the student?
• How has the student performed in areas relevant to the program or position that is being applied to?
• Would you recommend this student for the program or employment and why?