Rice University professors Michelle Hebl and Randi Martin and graduate student Juan Madera, now an assistant professor at the University of Houston, reviewed 624 letters of recommendation for 194 applicants for eight junior faculty positions at a U.S. university.

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Be wary of who you ask for recommendation letters when job-hunting and be sure to communicate the action points you hope are covered.

FORBES: Recommendation Letters Cost Women Jobs

You might also be able to get letters of recommendation from these companies when you apply for credit.

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Weary of making bureaucratic appointments solely on the basis of letters of recommendation, Yang set aside a number of posts for applicants who performed well on a new system of imperial examinations.

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