Getting recommendations.

Question

I feel uncomfortable in asking my current supervisor for recommendation letters to B schools as he is currently in the process of appraising me and I'm expecting him to recommend me for a promotion. I feel that if I disclose my plans to do an MBA it might hurt my chances of getting a promotion.

 So what are my alternatives? Is it okay to ask for recommendations from clients, especially if I've dealt and worked with them on a daily basis? 

 How far back is it okay to go when asking people for recommendations? Is it okay if I ask people who I've worked with lets say 4-5 years back, even if I haven't been in touch with them (Courtesy my poor networking skills)? The reason I want to do this is that the manager I worked with back then is now a top executive at a 500 company. Would also like to know the experiences of members on the responses of old managers when asked for recommendations. Is there a good way to do this? It feels weird to suddenly email someone after 5 years and ask for a reco.

Thanks for your help!

jaynayak · Answer

IMO, clients are fine. But both the recs from clients is not recommended. Most schools understand the reasons you may not want to get a rec from your current supervisor. But going back 4-5 years is a stretch. The purpose of rec is to hear about your current skills from somebody else. Surely you must have taken leadership positions in these 5 years. So who is going to comment on those skills?

rhyme · Answer

Clients is fine as long as they can comment  DIRECTLY  on your performance, skills and impact. I don't know about 4-5 years ago - thas a ways away. You could always do two recent clients and include an explanation in the optional essays.

venky1979 · Answer

Clients is the best and most impressive bet. if not then in ur company choose atleast one who was ur manager less than 2 years ago or current manager and the other could be as you say 4-5 years old one is fine. check if some your line managers in last two years have a MBA

he/she is likely to symapthise with u :-D

(This is precisely what i did chose an immediate manager with a MBA and another one 4 years old )

dukes · Answer

When are you expecting the promotion? Next year's R1 deadlines are still 8-9 months away. If you're hoping to get promoted during your summer performance review you can just ask for the rec in August or early September.

Mark4124 · Answer

If you want to go in Fall 2007 you certainly can't expect anyone to advance you if you will be gone that soon. I tried this and it was a loosing proposition. I can certainly understand why from their point of view. You probably will need to make a choice... Do you want to advance in your current role or go to b-school?

dukes · Answer

Based on his comments on another thread it sounded like he was applying for Fall 2008 entry. Honestly, I don't think its an either/or proposition he just needs to play the timing right.

Fig · Answer

What do u guys think about recomanders who are 1 customer and 1 company partner?.... They know me for more than 5 years...

Thanks for your view

necromonger · Answer

I can't comment on this situation. But I had a rather weird turn of events. On friday, I got the admit from the school, and monday early morning my boss calls me congratulating me on a promotion. oops.

Getting recommendations.

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