Stuck on who should I ask for recommendations?

[kittymctaco]

I have a few options but I'm not sure which combination would be the best.

1. I could ask my current line manager, but honestly I don't think he would write a stellar recommendation because he is so busy at work and at home. Don't get me wrong, we get along great, but I do not work as closely with him as the rest of my team or some of my accounts or others within my company. But I am stuck because he's been my line manager for going on 3 years so a recommendation from a previous boss wouldn't really be current. Thoughts?

2. My best recommendation option (I think) is someone within my team who has worked above me since I started and has seen me progress through 2 promotions and at one point we were doing the same job. Is it ok to submit a recommendation from someone who was senior to me for a majority of the time abut at one point we were doing the same job?

3. If I were to ask my line manager and the person who ive worked with most at the company, would this be ok? Or do MBA. Programs usually want to see 2 recommendations from two different jobs or areas of my work? My other options would be a) colleague from previous company (3 years ago) b) possibly academic advisor from previous masters program (4 years ago, I didn't graduate with the best GPA though) c) previous economics professor from college (5 years ago) or d) previous boss from 5 years ago e) colleague who I worked under the first 2 years and now work at the same management level in our team.

I know some of you might ask, "why don't you ask one of your accounts?" And its because I have 80 accounts and granted I work closer with some of them more than others, but I don't think I work close enough with any one that would be able to write a recommendation good enough. I work in technical operations so I mostly communicate by email and.have only met a few of my accounts face to face.

Thoughts?

[Jon@Admissionado]

Well sir, There are a LOT of considerations to take when considering a recommender. For example: How high they are, how many people they manage, how excited they would be, how long they have known you, etc. So I don't really have a full picture here, but from what I can see: Yes, you will have to ask your supervisor. Your colleague may give you a better recommendation, but it won't be worth that much because he doesn't supervise you. As for your second recommender, what about a BOSS from a previous company?

Colleague recommendations don't have that much effect, because the Adcom knows you are simply asking friends, and what friend would write a bad recommendation?

[kittymctaco]

It's madam

Well, my "collegue" actually managed me more than my line manager did (I've worked with both people for going on 3 years) for a majority of my time at my current company, that's why I think he has a better perspective and would write a better recommendation than my line manager since we've worked together more.

I don't feel comfortable asking my previous boss, he was a bully and the main reason I left my previous company. My boss before that I only worked under for 3 months, and previous bosses would be older than 5 years.

So I'm confused about what would be the best combination of recommendations I should have for my applications. I can ask my current line manager, but is it ok have a recommendation from my "collegue" as well or would it be better to ask a previous boss even if it was over 5 years ago? Do Adcoms have a preference over more recent or more senior recommendations?

[Jon@Admissionado]

Oops! As I would have said in my childhood: "No Duh". Should have just looked at the picture Madame

anyhow back to the main point, your recommenders...
Even if your colleague "managed" you more, in general it's frowned upon. And they really do expect at the very least your current supervisor (or your supervisor's supervisor, if he would be more excited... or his supervisor). For your second recommender, we can be more flexible, but still a supervisor is preferred. IF your past boss was a bully, maybe a supervisor from a community service/ volunteerwork?

[FutureWorks]

Hi kittymctaco,

The business schools wants to hear a complete picture of the applicant from someone who knows you well and has been in a position to evaluate you. They want the data provided by you in the essays to bevalidated and take an objective assessment of your abilities.You should also check with the schools you are applying on how comfortable they are with peer recommendation as most school may not be. Admission committee finds it most helpful if there is some developmental distance between you and the recommender. That kind of person is typically best suited to comment on your strengths and development areas.

As suggested above try your ECA supervisors for the letter and all the very best

[bgbaron]

Here's a little more food for thought:

When choosing recommenders, consider the following three questions: 1) who (among the appropriate choices) believes most strongly in you? 2) who can communicate that enthusiasm for you most compellingly? 3) who has experience with the recommendation process and writing recommendation letters?

Many candidates are surprised to discover that the boss they expected would write a tepid letter of support instead produces a powerful recommendation, while the "friend" they expected would write a great letter produces one of limited value.

Before entrusting someone to write your recommendation, remember to first ask them if they would write not just a recommendation, but a strong one. The enthusiasm of their response will help you determine whether you've made a good choice.

Ben