My current manager is probably 32 - he's bright, but he's just worked his way up for 10 years at this firm, graduated from some no-name school and never been to grad school. I'm really worried that he wont know how to write a good rec. It keeps me up at night. He's also a young manager - recently promoted ... probably has minimal experience doing this kind of work.

My recs can come from:

(1) A Chicago GSB Graduate, Executive Vice President, Director of a PMO Office, staff of over 100. Will know how to write a rec. Has known me in a working capacity for 2.5 years, in an overall capacity 4-5 years. Will take the time to write a good rec.

(2) A Chicago GSB Graduate, Director, other firm. Known me in a professional capacity 9 months, overall, 1 year. Can write a good rec.

(3) My current low level manager. Known me in prof capacity 3 months, overall 3 months. He'd write one, but I'm worried he wouldn't know what to write.

This is the weakeast link... What's worse?

(a) Include a weak recommendation from your current manager and 1 more person OR
(b) don't include your current manager, get two strong recommendations and explain why your current manager is not included? (simply doesnt know me long enough).

The question really becomes: "Can you not use your current manager and have that be acceptable?".

I know some schools allow 3 recs... but .... if my current mgr cannot write a story that remains cohesive with the other two, I wonder if that wuold do more damage than good...

Sigh!

Advice?

Oh I didnt make it clear... I've worked with all these people... All former supervisors.