Rec letter and laid off.

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Rec letter and laid off.

by ketnet1 » Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:53 am
Hi,

If I just got laid off today, when is the best time to ask the manager for a recommendation letter and in what way of asking?

For example, since i'm not sure if I will get a gmat score that meets the school's 80% range, I am not sure which schools I will apply to. In this case, should I have the recommender write a generic letter and keep it on hand or should I just verbally ask the recommender? ie. "In case I don't find a job and I might be considering applying to schools in the coming months (5-6 months from now), would you be able to write the recommendation letter for me?"

Once I get verbal confirmation- then this is safe right?

Thank you.
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:30 am
Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about the layoff.

How you should approach the recommendation situation would depend on your relationship with your manager. I think the best way would be first to speak to him and explain the situation: you will likely apply to b-school, you're still deciding which programs, and would he be willing to provide a recommendation? If so, could he give you his contact information so that you can get in touch as soon as your plans are set?

I don't think it would be great for him to prepare a recommendation now, because he would still have to upload it into the applications, and it would probably seem like what it is - generic.

I hope this is helpful; good luck with your next steps.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com