Recommender just laid off...what now?

Question

The woman who I asked to write one of my letters of rec was just let go today. I have all of her personal info, so I can still have her write it....but will that look bad? Having someone who was laid off writing me a letter of rec?

Btw, we work in land development, so her being laid off was due to circumstances, and not her performance.

Btw, we work in land development, so her being laid off was due to circumstances, and not her performance.

Yahsek · Answer

The way I see it, just because she was laid off doesn't devalue her assessment of your professional ability. I am in a similar situation. My entire company was closed down and as a result 90% of the employees were immediately laid off. My direct supervisor, who is my primary professional recommender, is now with a completely new company and has a completely different title. I don't see this as a disadvantage because I worked with him for 2 years and then under him for another 2 years so if there's anyone out there with a good understanding of how I operate, it's him, regardless of title or rank.

VictoryMBA · Answer

Good insight, thanks. btw, your avatar is killer 8-)

Yahsek · Answer

Haha, thanks VMBA. It was one of the only non-offensive ones I could find :lol:

kryzak · Answer

it will not cause a problem. The recommendation is about YOU, not your recommender. As long as your recommender is your direct supervisor or someone who worked a lot with you (as your lead) and know you very well, then you are fine. Layoffs happen all the time, and you are definitely not judged on why your supervisor got laid off.

stoic · Answer

Hi,
I would like to offer my take on this since I was in the same situation as you, a few months ago.

After talking to folks and getting feedback from an admissions consultant from Stacey Blackman consulting, I ended up choosing a different recommender (who was employed). It was tough for me as I was really counting on this recommendation. It was very difficult, but, I had a candid conversation explaining the circumstances to my recommender. He graciously agreed to inform me when his situation changed(which thankfully it did, soon enough!).

Much as one hates it, it becomes a perception issue. Schools perform background checks on recommenders. By having a recommender who is unemployed,you are risking this perception issue. Is it possible that one's recommendor gets laid off after submitting an appilcation? Certainly, this is possible. However, by eliminating risk factors, you are enhancing your chances of getting admitted.

I would suggest that you look at other recommenders, unless, you think that this recommender is worth the addittional risk.

-Stoic

kryzak · Answer

I believe schools do background checks on you and your recommenders *after* you get accepted and matriculate (and pay Kroll the $65). I have a hard time seeing schools do background checks on hundreds/thousands of recommenders before you put your deposit down.

VictoryMBA · Answer

Do they just want to know that your recommender is who you say they are? Or do they also look for past misdameasnors etc? I work in land development and some of the guys who are now VP's used to be hard living construction workers. One of my recommenders happens to be one of those types (sailor, woman tatoo on his arm, construction...wild man in his youth)...could this get me in to trouble? I don't know his background really...but I wouldn't be surprised if he had been arrested for DUI, public intoxication, fighting, etc.

Btw, he is my direct supervisor and holds a high position at the company.

Btw, he is my direct supervisor and holds a high position at the company.

dabots · Answer

highly doubtful anybody will be investigating your recommender

agold · Answer

They may investigate the recommender's spouse and/or children though. What are his wife and kids like?

sonibubu · Answer

You have to pay an ADDITIONAL background check fee, on top of the application fee? That seems bogus...

kryzak · Answer

yes, do a search (or look in the knowledge vault) on "kroll" or "background check" and you'll find some interesting discussion.

Most top schools will make you pay for this background check after you decide to matriculate.

stoic · Answer

* I had applied to GSB. On the status page, it used to indicate the status on whether the recommendation letters/recommenders(don't remember the exact terms) had been verfied. This was before I got my result.

In atleast some applications, you have to state where your recommender currently works. I think "Unemployed" , unfortunately, sounds a bit like the Dude "Lebowski" when the cops ask him where he works.

As regards investigating the recommender's family; there are teams working in shifts on this.

-Stoic

Recommender just laid off...what now?

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