- Home
- Networks
- Topics
- Blogs
- Co-op Blogs
- Arts and Social Sciences Co-op Blog
- Beedie School of Business Co-op Blog
- Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology Co-op Blog
- Communication Co-op Blog
- Computing Science Co-op Blog
- Contemporary Arts Co-op Blog
- Engineering Co-op Blog
- Environment Co-op Blog
- Health Sciences Co-op Blog
- Interactive Arts & Technology Co-op Blog
- MSE Co-op Blog
- Science Co-op Blog
- Sustainable Energy Engineering Co-op Blog
- Communique
- ENGAGE
- Peer Education
- Co-op Blogs
- Galleries
- Learn
- Indigenous
- EAL/ESL
- iBelong
Coach Talks: Can I Have Your Number (For a Reference)?

Coach Talks: Can I Have Your Number (For a Reference)?
By: Stephen Kaita
“Hi Coach, I was wondering if I could ask you a favour?”
“Sure”
“I’m applying for summer jobs, and I was wondering if I could use you as a reference?”
From a person who has gone from one job to another and one volunteer opportunity to the next, I’ve met people from various backgrounds. So trying to keep in touch can be hard, but is very easier to reestablish a meeting. However, people come and go, and as humans, we do forget people.
So, let’s get into why gathering references are very important. This is the reality. People forget people. Whether you have done a great job in your volunteer opportunity, your work can be forgotten within a matter of days, weeks, months and years. Keeping in contact with your references and asking for reference letters will provide physical evidence of what you have done, the skills you acquire and what makes you a great volunteer. Especially for volunteer opportunities, gathering references and reference letter are important. Sometimes, it will be the only thing you will have in order to apply to you next job or volunteer opportunity.
Engage
When gathering references, make sure you have a good impression. Especially when leaving a company or volunteer organization, keep in touch with your former colleagues. Sometimes, these people are willing to be your reference, and this becomes very important when search for your next opportunity.
Amaze
Some of the people giving you the reference will give you a massive surprise. In one of my reference letter, I was very happy on some of the kind words my coach, supervisors and bosses have given to me. Yes, there is a generic way of writing a reference letter, but some of the key words and phrases can make a huge impact on landing you next job and volunteer opportunity.
Relive
Have you ever heard of this statement? We relive experiences through writing. As a person who studies world literature and has taken classes in reflective practices, this is a true statement. Reliving experiences are great ways to understand yourself or another person. This is the basis of a reference letter. The employer or volunteer organizer is reading this letter to understand you, the candidate, and reliving your experiences through writing.
Remember, people appreciate volunteers, but humans forget people, and it’s in our nature to do so. Yes, we don’t do this intentionally; it just happens. So, remember to gather your references and ask for reference letters.
Final thoughts: Keep in contact with your references. Update them with your life, and ask how they are. Make sure the contact information is updated. Maybe even set up a coffee chat. Nothing hurts with your references. Just always remember to thank them.
Posted on August 05, 2014
Submitted by volunteer on Tue, 2014-08-05 16:15 by volunteer
- volunteer's blog
- Login to post comments
- 7579 reads
RELATED TOPICS
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEARCH THE OLC
Login
OUR TWEETS
Today's Top
![]() |
Top Tip Lists Lost in Technical Translation: How to Succeed in an Unfamiliar Environment [5] |
![]() |
Top Tip Lists 8 Interview Tips For Impressing a Hiring Manager [5] |
![]() |
Business A day in the life of a Taxpayer Services Agent at CRA [4] |
![]() |
Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology 6 Reasons Why We Like Research [4] |
![]() |
Event Summaries Highlights from the “Preparing for a Government of Canada Interview” Webinar [3] |
Interviews 10 Tips on Answering Interview Questions Effectively [15] |
|
Co-op Reflections Following CAFCE #coopweek on Twitter [7] |
|
Workplace Transition Top Ten Tips for Co-op Work Term Success [4] |
|
Indigenous Indigenous Stories: William Lindsay on Persistance [2] |
|
Work Search 4 Tips on Showing Projects During Interviews [2] |
[Blog] Life Experience Just Like Bunko: It's Not About You [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Preparation = Successful Interview! [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Acing Phone Interviews [1] |
|
[Story] Career Exploration We Are All Canucks: Dreams Come True [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews The Dirty Dozen Interview Questions (Part I) [1] |
7 seconds
From Forbes Magazine.
You have 7 seconds to make a first impression:
...
You're Welcome!
Just wanted to say a big "you're welcome!"
I think though, that we also owe you a big thank-you for all of your fantastic...
There but for the grace of
There but for the grace of God go I, reoccurs for me in periodically and I smile warmly and am grateful.
Thank you for your...
Uhoh, now you've sent us down
Uhoh, now you've sent us down a black hole of Youtube Conan clips......
Our failures define us
Conan's quote is incredibly profound..but not quite as profound as his "String Dance."