Recommendations?

Question

I am beginning to pinpoint some recommenders for myself, and currently have asked my administrative manager who I have consistently worked with the past three years. Targeting a second recommender however I'm not quite sure how to approach. Another colleague of mine who knows me fairly well would be a great recommender, but is at the same level of my administrative manager. Also if (big IF) I get promoted this summer, all three of us would be at the same level. However; at my company this level is one that most employees are in (over 50%), and you can be very senior but still have the same title, if you choose not to create a business case and create your own administrative team - if that makes sense.

Should I be reaching for more senior level employees? My concern is that upper level management at my company are very disconnected from most staff because of the recent slew of work that has come through. I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them for a recommendation, however; I want to make sure I am targeting the right 'level' of people also. But I would hope that choosing people I work with and know me best would be the right approach, and just because they aren't a partner or right underneath would not matter.

VictoryMBA · Answer

I don't know if this will help at all, but I chose recommenders who are in more senior positions than me, and know my work, know my attitude, work ethic, leadership potential etc. Because of a family connection, I know the founder of the company personally...and could easily have him...the CEO...the CFO...the COO..or whoever write me a letter of rec...but there is no point, they don't see me on a day to day level.

mbagal1 · Answer

Hi

Would your colleague who could be the second recommender be able to talk about different examples or aspects of your work than your direct manager? Someone else can validate this, but I dont think that other than that, it would matter that you and your recommenders are at the same level once you get that promotion. You could always explain why you chose those recommenders and how long they have known you in a supervisory role.

I have a related question for myself. Recently we had someone join my company who is a Chicago GSB Alum. Assuming I work with him in the coming months, would it be wise to have his recommendation just because he is an alum? Does that trump a supervisor I may have worked with a bit longer? I work in consulting, so I find very few people I have worked for very long time frames with, usually never more than a year. The 2-3 people who have known me for 3-4 years and have seen me grow probably will have only similar things to say about my candidacy - so I intend to pick only one of them.

Thanks

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