How Do I put the following on a resume?

How many recommendations letters make a decent resume? How do I get more?

• I know some employers ask for a designated number, but some just ask for a resume. I have two recommendation letters right now, from my college instructors this last semester. I know I can get more, but, I haven't spoken to my college instructors from my last college for over a year now, and was wondering if getting in contact with them now after all this time for my own benefit was rude or not? I had good grades back then and my teachers really seemed to like me, I was very respectful and thanked them for their time and help. Can I contact them for recommendation letters? And what of past employers? My two last employers were a homeless shelter (I was a resident aide) and the other a children's clothing store (cashier, I guess, though I had various other responsibilities). I put in my two weeks notice at the children's clothing store because I wanted to return to school (I graduated that following semester) and I wanted to put in my two weeks at the homeless shelter but the reason I left was because I became very ill and couldn't work those last two weeks, anyway, so I quit. Can I ask them for recommendation letters?

• Answer:

  Two letters of recommendation should suffice. Certainly no more than three. Employers don't want a sheaf of papers to look through, since the decision of whether to hire you is mostly dependent upon your qualifications and the interview. When asking for letters of recommendation, quality is more important than quantity. A single sterling recommendation is more valuable than 10 so-so ones. Teachers' recommendations are of value, but employers' even more so, since the employer's interest in you is as an employee, not a student. One of each is a good mix.