Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi Amy/Stacy,
One of my recommenders just got laid off in the middle of my application process. This person is talented, very highly educated(PhD from a top university) and had progressed very well in the company up to this point. I had worked with him in my company for about 6 years in the past in various roles (his subordinate in a team for a year, as peers in different projects after that and as colleagues in very different teams in the same organization). I have a very good rapport with him and he is willing to provide me a recommendation. From what I know of him, I am sure he will bounce back.

However, from my application perspective, does it make sense for me to take a recommendation letter from him while he is between jobs?

How do business schools evaluate the credentials of the recommenders? Do they do background checks/call them or some thing else? I do not plan to conceal anything. But, at the same time time I am not keen about advertising his employment status at this time because I am not sure how schools view it.

Please advise.

Thanks!
Stoic74

Hi stoic74,

This is a delicate situation. If you have the option of using a current manager who is still employed with your company, that would be the best. If not, you can either use this manager or pick a non-manager and explain why in the optional essay.

It's hard to say how this will be viewed - depending on why he was asked to leave. Being "laid off" can mean many things, and if its a nice way to say he was fired, that raises some questions in my mind.

Good luck!

Amy

Amy,
Thanks so much for your kind response. It certainly helps me put the situation in perspective. I will look for an alternate recommender.

Thanks again!
-Stoic74