Asking for Letters of Rec in a Non-Traditional Industry

Question

Hi!

I'm hoping to apply in R1 for Sept 2022 intake at M7 schools and I'm looking for some advice on asking for recommendation letters.

I work in a non-traditional industry (merchandising for a major retail corporation) and am concerned about asking my current manager for a letter of recommendation. Applying to MBA programs is not typical in my workplace. Although I went to a prestigious undergrad institution, many of my co-workers did not (some not attending college at all!). Education is just not something that is highly valued at my company and that worries me when thinking about asking my manager to write my recommendation.

First off, I just don't think she will "get it", wondering why would I want to pay $300K for another degree when I could just continue on the traditional path in our workplace. I also think she may be alarmed by the idea of me basically telling her I'm planning to leave in a year...If that is the case, why would she waste time on developing me?

Secondly, now let's say we get past the hump of the "Why" I want to do this....then I'm just not sure what quality of letter of rec she could write when she has no familiarity with the MBA application process. I understand letters of rec can play a really important role in admissions and I'm nervous about my fate being in someone else's hands!

Any advice for approaching the initial conversation with my manager in regards to B-school aspirations? What about resources I can provide to make writing the letters of rec as easy as possible for someone with little background or interest in supporting me in the application process?

Thanks in advance!

bb · Answer

Hi you are kind of in luck but you also missed an opportunity to ask some great questions and get free consulting help. We just had a video today about LOR's today... you may want to subscribe to our youtube channel so you don't miss these when they come out.

As to your question, as Liza mentioned in the video, you want the recommender to be a part of your team and it is a bit of an art choosing one and deciding who is senior enough but knows a lot about you. Perhaps the first step is to ask them their opinion and say, a lot of my friends are commending me to get an MBA (many of my college friends applied this year and are saying I could go to a very highly ranked program and potentially get a scholarship). I like my job now but it has been a weird year. I have a year or two to apply and if I don't, I miss my chance to get an MBA and potentially a free one. An MBA is something my parents eventually expect me to get and ..... or basically something that indirectly suggests your path and informs them about your plans. You don't want to give them reasons to shut it down but basically give them plenty of opportunity to get on board and be happy for you. So avoid strong statements and conflicts but hard to contradict.

Some people found their bosses to be clear haters of them (a revelation) while others found them to be supportive (esp if the boss did an MBA). Some found bosses making their jobs better and giving them raises/benefits trying to keep them put.

You have to be careful as you will need to take their opinion into consideration and play it back and forth, perhaps with a co-worker or someone else and ask them what they think the boss would say (if you have someone). My 2 cents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDCCk09m1WI

Admissionado · Answer

studybuddy :

Good to connect with you again!

It's no doubt a tough situation, but bb has laid out some good strategies.

I think you need to have a confidential, personal discussion about your intentions. You can explain to her why you want this degree, how it will help you improve, and perhaps why it would be beneficial to them in the long run (maybe as a future contact, business partner, etc.) Obviously for the last point you'd want to tread lightly as it might seem like an oversell.

As I mentioned in my other post, you may need to be more involved in this process unlike candidates coming from more traditional MBA feeder industries. If she is comfortable with the arrangement, you can provide a detailed outline in advance, work on multiple drafts with her, and just in general be a go-to resource. That's just the price of admission of coming from a non-traditional industry!

If your gut tells you she won't be supportive or won't do a good job (for whatever reason) then you need to look for alternative recommenders. Yes, the adComs want a current supervisor but they are also understanding if you need to select others given conflicts of interest.

Again, please reach out if you need our help!

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Hi studybuddy , Thank you for sharing your situation. You are not alone in feeling torn about whether or not to ask your manager for a letter of recommendation. While admissions committees typically like recommendations from current employers, they are definitely used to people who don't ask their current boss because their boss does not know they are leaving for school. Have you had a previous full-time job after undergrad where a manager could write about your work experience? Additionally, if you have taken a considerable role in an activity outside of work, such as a leadership role in a sizable charitable organization, you might consider asking a colleague/supervisor in this organization to write on your behalf. If you devote a considerable amount of time to this activity, particularly if it requires strong leadership, this person should know you well and be positioned to write a strong MBA letter of recommendation. Further, they will be able to provide a different perspective on your candidacy. If you ultimately choose a recommender who is not your manager, you can indicate in the optional essay why you chose not to get a recommendation from your current employer. LOR support is one of the key components of Personal MBA Coach’s services . We can help guide you through selecting the ideal recommenders and preparing them so your LORs shine and align with your overall application. Do not hesitate to reach out to scott@personalmbacoach.com to learn more! Best, Personal MBA Coach

studybuddy · Answer

Thank you all for your input! Much appreciated. Although I'm nervous about it, I feel I have to give my manager the benefit of the doubt and give her the chance to support me...Now I just gotta work up the confidence to have the conversation

How much notice would you recommend if I'm planning to apply R1? I just started a new role on this team in March, so I don't want to jump the gun too early while we are still getting to know each other, but don't want to wait too long where she is pressed for time with writing.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Hi again studybuddy , A respectable decision – good luck! For Round 1 deadlines, Personal MBA Coach ideally recommends finalizing and preparing your recommenders in June. This will give you the opportunity to share your career aspirations, what you plan to discuss in your essays, and remind them of your key successes. Additionally, opening up the conversation early will allow you to model the behavior now that you want your manager to write about later. Later in the summer in August, you will want to follow up to make sure they are on track and know your deadlines. Again, feel free to take a look at our services if you want guidance. We ensure that the perfect messages are being delivered through your LORs to complement your application and present a complete picture of your overall background. Feel free to send a note to scott@personalmbacoach.com to further discuss your candidacy and how we can help strengthen it! Regards, Personal MBA Coach

Asking for Letters of Rec in a Non-Traditional Industry

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