CREDENTIALS FILES
A Credentials File from a college or university is the most
professional way for graduates to send their references when applying
to graduate school or for a job. Instead of asking a particular person
to write a reference for you every time you need one - you ask them
once to fill out the enclosed forms, and they are placed on a file in
the Center for Career Development. They will be duplicated and sent in
booklet form when requested by a graduate school or prospective
employer.
NOTE: We do not send Credentials Files to students, alumni, or
employment agencies.
Who should open a credentials file?
How does it work?
Is there a cost?
How do you let people know you have a credentials file?
Explanation of Letters of Reference
Forms
Who should open a credentials file?
All graduating seniors and graduate students.
How does it work?
In order to open a file you must fill out and sign the REGISTRATION
FORM and submit this with a copy of your resume to the Career
Development
Office. The reference forms, CONFIDENTIAL LETTER OF REFERENCE and
NON-CONFIDENTIAL LETTER OF REFERENCE, go to faculty members of your
choice, with at least one going to someone in your major department.
Please see the EXPLANATION OF LETTERS OF REFERENCE for a fuller
discussion of the meaning of confidential versus non-confidential
references. You should choose three professional references. Our
experience indicates that this is an appropriate number. We also
suggest that you give a copy of your résumé along with the reference
form to each of your references to assist them. The EMPLOYER REFERENCE
form is for former employers, supervising teachers, or
internship/cooperative education supervisors. This form contains
instructions asking the employer to use one of the reference forms
supplied by you. Give them a stamped envelope addressed as follows:
Manhattan College
Center for Career Development
Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale, NY 10471
Attn: Credentials File
This usually helps ensure a response. However, you will sometimes
have to follow up with a reminder to the person writing the reference.
Is there a cost?
The repository file is a free service and the first five files are
sent free of charge. There is a $2.00 charge for each file you request
after the five. Your file will be kept at Manhattan College for 10
years, and can be used at any time after you graduate. If your file is
inactive for a period of 10 consecutive years, it will be destroyed,
unless you otherwise instruct us.
How do you let people know you have a credentials file?
The last piece of information on your resume may read: REFERENCES:
Available Upon Request. If a potential employer requests letters of
reference from you, you must submit a signed REQUEST FORM to the
Career Services Office which includes the name and address of the
person/s to whom you would like your Credentials File sent. We will
then send out the file per your instructions. We will not mail your
Credentials File to anyone unless you personally instruct us to do so.
Explanation of Letters of Reference:
In accordance with Federal Legislation, candidates may incorporate
in their Credentials Files letters of reference, which are either
confidential or non-confidential. The candidate will decide which type
of letter to request from the writer.
Confidential Letters:
Confidential letters are submitted by the writer with the
understanding that their contents will not be shared with the
candidate. The candidates will acknowledge the confidentiality of the
letter by signing a statement waiving his or her right to see the
letter. The fact will be noted on all copies of confidential letters
sent to prospective employers or graduate school admissions offices.
Non-Confidential Letters:
Non-confidential letters are written with the understanding that
the letter will be shared with the candidate upon his or her request.
This fact will be noted on all copies of the letter sent to
prospective employers or graduate school admissions offices.
The candidate alone will decide which type of letter he or she
wishes to solicit from the writer. In making this decision the
candidate may wish to consider these factors:
- Many academics have expressed the opinion that letters of
recommendation which have been shared with the candidate will be given less weight by hiring
officers and admissions committees than confidential letters.
- Non-confidential letters which the writer knows will be shared
with the candidate may be general, non-committal, and of questionable value to the candidate.
- Recommenders may refuse to write letters of reference unless the
candidate waives his or her right to see the letter.
Please note:
A candidate may instruct our office to remove any reference letter
from his or her Credentials File as long as three (3) active letters
remain. Request to retire a reference letter to the inactive portion
of the Credentials File must be in writing.
Hiring officials, graduate school admissions personnel and letter
writers surveyed by our office indicate a strong preference for
confidential letters.
Forms:
REGISTRATION FORM
CONFIDENTIAL LETTER OF REFERENCE
NON-CONFIDENTIAL LETTER OF REFERENCE
EMPLOYER REFERENCE
REQUEST FORM
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