What if your recommender gets laid off?

[stoic74]

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

[Amy]

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

[stoic74]

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