Recommendation Dilemma

Question

Hi all:

I work as a Design Engineer for a mid sized (~200) manufacturing/ technology company. I am planning to apply for b-school this year. My boss is a senior engineering guy and a strong supporter of a stable team.

Although he likes me a lot as an employee but I have a gut feeling that he would not like my idea of leaving the company and I might be out of work much earlier than I plan to.

I don't want to miss a recommendation from him. Please suggest WHEN should I approach him and HOW?

Thanks a lot!

-Anant

Dunchess · Answer

That is a tough question to answer without knowing him but this is my two cents: If you really want a reccomendation from him and can not go to another team member that might have supervised you, I suggest going to him about a month or two before your letters are due. I would be honest about your plans, say that you are a dedicated team player and have learned so much from him but are looking to take the next step in your career (a little flattery never hurts). I would also let him know that you want to stay a member of the team until June/July/August and will certainly not let your future goals affect your current performance. You absolutely run the risk of him asking you to leave or them finding your replacement earlier than you anticipate. I know a few people who played it this way (including myself) and we are still employed....good luck!!

aveekguha · Answer

Agree with above -- also make it clear that he won't get any 'less' of your performance during this process. Managers often worry about the impact this parallel process will immediately on your day-to-day work. This concern is natural; to the extent, you can alleviate it, he will be more comfortable with the rest of the process.

Good Luck!
Aveek Guha, President, www.mbadaycamp.com

osbornecox · Answer

What are severance laws like in your jurisdiction? If he knows you're going to leave, it may be cheaper for him to just wait for you to resign, rather than sack you.

brp4h · Answer

I have this problem, too... I'm not worried about job security, but I am worried that I might alienate my current manager. How can I convey that even though I want to leave for b-school I'm still a team player?

Dunchess · Answer

I think that the initial reaction may be that this person won't pull their weight, but I feel as long as you keep putting in great effort it will be clear that you are still in it for the long haul. Also be direct when you speak to your manager in that you still want to deliver a great performance and the MBA is a stepping stone in your career but it builds off your current role. Great references from your manager as well increased responsibility at work, even at the end, help you further what you want during and after your MBA.

brp4h · Answer

I'm more concerned that the initial reaction will be that my manager doesn't want me to go to business school and therefore stop working for him. It's hard to ask someone for a favor at their expense

thisguy310 · Answer

Has anyone else at your company went back to school? How did that go?

brp4h · Answer

A few have gone back fulltime, but most are getting EMBAs part-time. There's a chance they'll be on board or even offer to pay my tuition and have me come back afterwards (I know that's happened a couple of times before), which would be amazing.

Actually, having thought it through, I think the worst case is my manager will tell me he's not comfortable writing a rec now, but would agree to it if I stayed for another couple of years. I only have 2 years FT experience (also interned with him for 6 months).

3underscore · Answer

You know, I think most people applying for business school over-estimate how critical their boss perceives them to be, and underestimates the level of compassion and understanding they can show when you want to build your career in this way.

I think the matter is more how you approach the topic with them as opposed to the topic itself. You often find out that your boss is actually trying to leave for another firm themselves, something you find hard to imagine.

I really don't think many people have been fired for announcing they want to go to do an MBA. It normally provides for a more successful transfer of the duties.

brp4h · Answer

You were right... they were all happy to help me out.

I felt awful asking, though.

Recommendation Dilemma

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