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kryzak
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Gift for recommender 22 Feb 2008, 15:16
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as people have said, give a gift over the holiday break or after the last letter has been sent in. Then give some school related gift when you decide to matriculate and leave the job.
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mbavolunteer
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Gift for recommender 22 Feb 2008, 16:07
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My direct supervisor at my current job got a "Thank You" from me. I think that recommenders who are your direct supervisors don't really deserve a gift, since you are working your ass off daily for them. Writing a reco is the least they can do :-).

I sent my other recommender from my previous job a bouquet pre-decision (I think gifts should always be pre-decision).
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kryzak
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Gift for recommender 22 Feb 2008, 18:50
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mbavolunteer
My direct supervisor at my current job got a "Thank You" from me. I think that recommenders who are your direct supervisors don't really deserve a gift, since you are working your ass off daily for them. Writing a reco is the least they can do :-).

Hrm... I'm not sure I agree with that. We get paid for the work we do, no matter who our supervisors are. Granted, if the supervisor is a slave driver, then I would agree with your statement more. But if we're just doing our job for them, I don't think they owe us anything, let alone something as time consuming as writing a rec letter. :)
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Gift for recommender 24 Feb 2008, 19:49
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I got each of mine really nice hard-cover books on subjects they are all psyched about. The books were also very neatly signed by a calligrapher (my brother just happens to be one).

It cost me, but hey, these people really went out of their way to help me.
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Gift for recommender 13 Feb 2010, 21:08
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johnnyx9
I was thinking of getting each of my recommenders a painting of me sitting on top of a ladder with bags of money and I'm pointing down at them and laughing (they're at the bottom of the ladder). Also, in the painting I'll have a cigar in my mouth, and they'll just be looking up at me looking really sad.

But seriously, I did feel a little weird when I asked them to write my recs and I spoke with them about my career goals, it was basically like saying, "Hi, I want to stop working for you so I can really get a great job, but before I quit on you, you mind writing some great things about me to help me get out of here."

Hahaha...I felt the same way! But, I think supervisors genuinely want to see their subordinates go on to expand their education at great schools. If they can show their employees get accepted to outstanding schools, it speaks highly of their ability to find, hire, and develop the best talent. They know why we're applying.....they get it.....and, I've found that in nearly all cases, they're very supportive...and often flattered...that they're asked. I still felt a bit weird though. True.
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Gift for recommender 14 Feb 2010, 11:10
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I think I sprung $50-$80 for a gift.

One I got personalized titalist golf balls (Male, 50's)
One I got godiva chocolate (dark) basket (Female, 40's)
One I got Omaha Steaks (Female, 30's)

The gifts were tailored towards what I knew them to like.

I had these sent to them about two weeks AFTER the last rec went in (so about a week before Thanksgiving).

I also took 2 out of 3 of them to dinner after the New Year (after I had all my decisions back). (I work currently for the 3rd - the golf ball guy, and we just haven't had time to get together for lunch/dinner...)
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Gift for recommender 14 Feb 2010, 13:00
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I'm planning on taking them out to lunch at a pretty nice place in downtown L.A. on my last day (10 weeks, eep!).

I also asked my mentor (who wrote one of my recs) if he wanted something from the US (like expensive wine) or for my parents to bring back something from their Rajasthan-India safari and he perked up and said he wanted a huge painting of Shiva the Destroyer. So I basically had them bring back something Indian for the other 2 recommenders as well.
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Gift for recommender 14 Feb 2010, 16:32
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I gave my recommenders nice wine/champagne glasses after they submitted my last letter. Think they cost me around $50-$75 for a pair. When I gave it to them I made a small joke about giving them something to fill it with once I decide where I’m going. Will certainly get each a bottle but still up in the air about how much I’ll spend.

I think its important to get them something before you hear but its nice to be able to match the end gift on the result as well.
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Gift for recommender 16 Jan 2018, 08:09
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My 2 cents - send a thank you note right after they send the recommendation (or after you submit your application) - that's a must, and consider sending a small gift after you are admitted. :student_man:
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Gift for recommender 16 Jan 2018, 12:25
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kryzak
as people have said, give a gift over the holiday break or after the last letter has been sent in. Then give some school related gift when you decide to matriculate and leave the job.
I don't think there is a one size fits all here. If you work in a field where the salaries are lower- the gift might not be the same as if you were in private equity. Also think of this as an investment in what is hopefully an ongoing relationship. You never want to close doors if you don't have to- so just be appropriately thoughtful- and keep in mind that a heartfelt thank you note that really captures what this person has meant to you as a mentor may indeed be more valuable to your recommender than expensive champagne! Don't feel like you need to break the bank on this-- and for those reading this for advice for the future--one of the best gifts you can give your recommender is time... give them time to do these well. Don't dump these on them with a week's notice- or even worse--
a week's notice where the week you have given is right before the New Year! People are busy enough with family and outside interests- and want really only to work on the most critical things that holiday week-- so don't dump your recommendations on them at that time if you can help it. One thing I have noticed working with many clients is that the applicants think-- oh I can save all this for the holidays-- when THEY are off work. But then giving this extra job to your recommender when THEY TOO would rather not be working-- and while you don't consider your B school apps "work"-- so you are happy to do that on Christmas Eve.... I guarantee you that no matter how fabulous you are your recommender IS considering this WORK for them-- and they would really rather not do this on Christmas or New Year's Eve....
And how you interact with your recommender will say more about you than you think and a Starbucks gift card is not going to erase your poor planning if you expect your recommender to turn things for you on a dime.... so file all under best practices for recommenders... Best wishes as you journey through all this fun that is the MBA application experience!!
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Gift for recommender 06 Dec 2019, 14:10
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Hello from the GMAT Club MBAbot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
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