When a person writes a reference letter, it is supposed to include both strengths and weakness of the job candidate. This is sensitive information that is necessarily sent directly to the intended recipient.
If you require the letter to go through an unknown / untrusted third party on the Internet, the person writing the letter will necessarily water down their criticisms for fear of the letter being seen by unintended eyes, and for fear of liability.
Going through a third party may increase convenience, but it decreases the actual value of the reference.
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[ 3.6 ms ] story [ 16.0 ms ] threadIf you require the letter to go through an unknown / untrusted third party on the Internet, the person writing the letter will necessarily water down their criticisms for fear of the letter being seen by unintended eyes, and for fear of liability.
Going through a third party may increase convenience, but it decreases the actual value of the reference.