Rec Letters

Launched April 26, 2006
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Rec Letters

by collateralized » Sat May 06, 2006 3:40 pm
Hi Stacy,

I could use your guidance on who my recommendation letters should come from. Right now I own my own business (and do consulting on the side) so I do not have a direct supervisor. About me:

- 3.67 (cum laude), Economics, Stern School of Business
- Taking the GMAT in a few weeks
- resume highlights:

2001 - 2003 Fixed Income Analyst, Banc of America Securities (ranked at top of analyst class)

2004 - 2005 AmeriCorps*VISTA, brought a credit union to a disadvantaged neighborhood in Fresno, CA

2005- present Founder/owner of small online publishing firm focused on creating online communities (no outside investment). Company has been featured in the LA Times, WSJ

- Served on a Mayor's economic advisory council, board of local AdFed, serve on 2 other community-improvement boards
- interesting personal facts - lived in Brazil

I think my supervisors at BAS would be willing to write letters, but that's from three years ago. Any suggestions?

Many thanks.

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by Stacy Blackman » Sat May 06, 2006 4:25 pm
Recommendation letters are always somewhat problematic for individuals who own their own businesses. Depending on the size and type of business, some options are board member, advisor, client/customer or employee. Of course, all of these options need to be evaluated case by case to determine whether they will be written by a credible source and whether they will provide the right insights.

If none of these options from your current company will work, you should consider someone from your extracurricular activities - from Americorps, Mayor's council, etc... This person should be able to comment on your leadership skills in the same way that a professional recommender would.

The BAS recommender may be important as one of two or three recs, to add a solid brand name to the group, but you definitely want to mix it up with more recent insights. Even the BAS recommender should be from someone that you have kept in touch with so that they can comment on you as a person today and your development since leaving that job.
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by collateralized » Sat May 06, 2006 4:45 pm
Thanks Stacy, that's helpful advice.