is it ok to ask for references from employers before you need them?

Question

I am going away to college in another state this year and part of my requirements for graduation are several internships. My major is in government so I know that internships will be very competitive. I work at a pharmacy now and I was wondering if it was ok to ask my manager and pharmacists for general letters of recommendation when I leave for college. Or should I wait until I actually apply for an internship next year, and then call them? I'm afraid that after a year they might not want to go to the trouble of writing out a strong letter of recommendation. But I know that I will always be able to use their names as references. :) Thanks!

The reason I am worrying about this is that I will not be working for this company for about a year before I will need the recommendations. By then, the letters might not be so "glowing". :)

Answer 1

Letters of reference do not need to be dated. You should have them write them for you now, it is not important when you worked for them, it is important WHAT they thought about you. I have letters of reference that were written 10 years ago. As far as being concerned that they are written 1 year earlier than you need them doesn't matter, they can always contact your references if they need any further information. Get them now,

Answer 2

I would ask for them as you apply. That way the letters can be written for the audience rather than the generic "to whom it may concern"

Plus the more time you spend with them, the more glowing the recommendation will be........usually.

Answer 3

The letters are usually dated.

Answer 4

if handled with enough tact i would say yes. if they ask why or if you feel that you need to give a reason then you can say it is for a college application or scholarship's fund. what employers are looking for is independence, and work ethics like punctual, able to learn ect.....

Answer 5

Its best to get it now than later.