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deepak_223
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Unpredictability of recommender 19 Jul 2008, 06:33
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Does anybody encountered the unpredictability of what the recommender is going to write in the recommendations? I have asked my former supervisor for recommendation. But I am not sure about his intentions. He also screwed my last performance appraisal to the point that I have to leave the company. I left the company in a very professional manner and did not left an impression on him that I was leaving the job because of that sucker. At that time he was really impressed by my professionalism I guess and even proposed that I can use him as an recommender in future. But that was 2 years back and this is now. Can anyone suggest me some nice ways to know his intentions without jeopardizing my chances of getting a good recommendation?
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Rubashov1
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Unpredictability of recommender 19 Jul 2008, 08:20
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From the sound of things, I would try my hardest to find a different recommender!
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jallenmorris
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Unpredictability of recommender 19 Jul 2008, 08:52
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I would never ask for a recommendation from someone that caused me to have to leave a company.
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isa
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Unpredictability of recommender 19 Jul 2008, 08:57
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I wouldn't ask this particular supervisor for a recommendation. It's one thing if occasionally, he's given you negative feedback, reprimanded you for something, etc - then he can write about your growth, ability to receive feedback, etc, etc. It's completely another if he wrote you a recommendation that caused you to leave the company! He's too risky....

Is there someone else you can ask?


deepak_223
Does anybody encountered the unpredictability of what the recommender is going to write in the recommendations? I have asked my former supervisor for recommendation. But I am not sure about his intentions. He also screwed my last performance appraisal to the point that I have to leave the company. I left the company in a very professional manner and did not left an impression on him that I was leaving the job because of that sucker. At that time he was really impressed by my professionalism I guess and even proposed that I can use him as an recommender in future. But that was 2 years back and this is now. Can anyone suggest me some nice ways to know his intentions without jeopardizing my chances of getting a good recommendation?
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pelihu
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Unpredictability of recommender 19 Jul 2008, 10:27
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You should definitely look elsewhere if possible.

Recommendations are a strange part of the application process. Essentially, everyone should have stellar recommendations because they select the writers themselves. So, any hint of reservation in a recommendation can be a major negative. It brings up the question of why, in your entire professional life, you couldn't find two people you could be sure would say nice things about you. Poor judgment? Lack of interpersonal skills? Just not very good? Who knows, but it's got to put serious reservations in an adcom's head.
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deepak_223
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Unpredictability of recommender 20 Jul 2008, 07:58
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I thought about these concerns before. For me the current choice of recommenders (current and former supervisors) is also a logical one since they are in better position to judge me. I know colleagues from my previous job but I doubt their ability to provide some meaningful recos. Since my current supervisor is willing to give me his recommendation, I am little reluctant to ask other people in my current job because there will no new additional information. I am going to meet my former supervisor next weekend and try to judge from his responses about his intentions.

ac, if you interested in meeting sometime check your inbox for details.