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zenith
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Joined: 05 Jul 2011
Last visit: 12 Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Given Kudos: 2
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Choice of recommender 12 Jul 2011, 16:39
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I have two options for my second recommender. I work at a management consultancy doing strategic and operational consulting.

Option 1 - Manager A
- He is my mentor
- I've never actually worked with him
- He makes my case at all semi-annual performance reviews
- He is the person that keeps track of my performance and professional development. He has access to all my performance reviews; he is fully aware of every single bit of work I've done at my company
- Ivy graduate and PhD from a top tech school

Option 2 - Senior Manager B
- I worked with him closely on a 3-month project that ended 9 months ago.
- Obviously, I got a good review from him but that was a while ago, i.e. I've developed more since the last time we worked together.
- MEng from a top Southern school

I have the following two concerns:
1) I've always thought I will go with option 1. However, I am bothered by the fact that we never actually worked together.
2) My first recommender is a Manager. Should I be concerned about having two Manager-level recommenders? A recommendation from a VP (one of our practice leaders) might be an option but I am guessing it will be more dry and, more importantly, I would effectively announce my plans to leave the company...

Thank you.
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redjam17
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Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Last visit: 24 Apr 2014
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Status:Attending Johnson!
Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Cornell (Johnson) - Class of 2013
WE:Engineering (Consulting)
Schools: Cornell (Johnson) - Class of 2013
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Choice of recommender 12 Jul 2011, 20:27
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I'd go with Option 1. The reason, in one line, is that he/she is obviously very aware of your contribution within the firm down to every detail and that will be reflected in the recommendation letter (make sure that it is). Option 2 is someone who you worked with for a short period of time... a very short period of time. Hence, that person cannot really comment on your overall performance and growth within the firm.