Recommendation letters

Question

Hello everyone,

I'm not sure if this has been asked before.

my question is, can you get recommendations from your staffing agency?

Thanks.

GMATLA · Answer

When you say staffing agency, do you mean a company that placed you in your current or previous job? Best recommendation letters will come from someone that was either your supervisor or is very familiar with your work product that you KNOW will give you a strong recommendation. Schools will ask for your relationship to the recommender, and if it is someone that placed you at a job, it may seem like a conflict of interest b/c technically your acceptance into your new company got them paid. Also, a staffing agent's basic job function is to recommend job applicants for positions, so it may not seem as sincere since they do this every day. You've also never really worked with them in a professional setting (correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know if a staffing agency will have the same credibility as someone you've worked with. If you're young (less than 3 years out of undergrad) and are struggling to find professional recommendations, consider a teacher from your school.

If "staffing agency" means something else, please elaborate. I could be way off.

Anymore information about your specific situation could also help us to give some advice.

If "staffing agency" means something else, please elaborate. I could be way off.

Anymore information about your specific situation could also help us to give some advice.

rasta · Answer

I agree with GMATLA. IMO, a recommendation from your staffing agency won't do you any favours. The adcom will just roll their eyes and wonder if you couldn't get anyone else to recommend you.

A general rule of thumb for identifying recommenders is that your work should have had a direct impact on that person. Ideally, you'd have your current immediate supervisor as one of the recommenders. If you are struggling to find 2 recommendations from people above you in the organisation, you can select a colleague in a different function with whom you interact regulary. Never select a subordinate as one of your recommenders.

Also, try to ensure that your recommenders speak highly of your leadership and communication skills.

cvsmech · Answer

Thank you guys!

I thought the same and had already changed my recommender on the application. But, just wanted to get a second opinion on that.

MBAbot · Answer

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Recommendation letters

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