Family Biz Reccomendations

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Family Biz Reccomendations

by CaliBound2012 » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:13 am
Hello everyone,
I am currently deciding whom I should ask to write my recommendations and I have found myself in somewhat of a dilemma. Here is a little background on me: I completed my undergraduate degree in Spring 2009 and I have been working for my family business ever since in a high-level VP capacity. My father is the founder and CEO of the company. While he is not technically my supervisor I have found myself working with him more than anyone else at the company. Further, I feel that my greatest accomplishments at this job have been when I was working on projects for him directly. Our CFO is going to write one of my recommendations but I am not sure whether or not it is a good idea to ask my father to write the other. On one hand, I am afraid that an admissions committee would discredit the recommendation since it was written by a family member. On the other hand, my father knows my work the best and is the only person who can give an accurate explanation of how I positively impacted the organization in the last few years. My father has told me that he is confident that his analysis of my accomplishments at the company will far outweigh any undertones of nepotism in his recommendation. I am just not sure that an admissions council would believe it. Does anyone have any experience with a situation like this? Do you think I should be seeking recommendations elsewhere? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Source: — The Application Process |

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by vineeshp » Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:30 am
If I were in your place, I would certainly seek recommendations from someone else.

I don't know what kind of business you are in, but have you considered asking your clients, someone who you work closely with? Or are there any non-family members working for the business. it would be a better choice.
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)

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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:55 pm
I would strongly advise not to use your father. Get another internal manger, get a major client or partner, get someone in the community who has worked with you on any extracurricular projects...A rec from your Dad cannot be looked at objectively, and is, in my opinion, wasted application real estate.
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
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