letters of recommendation

[guest]

i've been working at an accounting firm for 1.5 years now. i switched departments because I wanted to try something different. Also, I didn't get along with my old boss. The new boss seems to like me. The problem is that I've only been working for him for 3 months. This leaves me three options:

1) ask for a letter of recommendation from another consultant I did a 2.5 month project with
2) ask my current boss who I've been working with for 2.5 months
3) or ask the department head (whom I've worked on a project with) who gives reviews to all the associates-- meaning, he knows what all the other consultants think about my performance, etc.
4) Oh, almost forgot, the other option is to ask one of my senior colleagues from a job 3 years ago who worked on a 6 month project with me (he did part of my review for that client engagement) to do my letter.

Which two should I choose? I am worried that the one from 3 years ago is too old. Thanks!!!

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

It seems to me that your only choice is your current supervisor. As long as he can write in a compelling way about the few months that you have been together, you should be fine. After all, you have been at the firm longer than you have served with him, so you will actually come out ahead. His positive review of your last three months will serve as a proxy for your entire experience.

The other consultant is an equally reasonable choice but is not current, so the advantage goes to this supervisor. The past colleague from years ago is not a good choice and the Department Head is a risk.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

i've been working at an accounting firm for 1.5 years now. i switched departments because I wanted to try something different. Also, I didn't get along with my old boss. The new boss seems to like me. The problem is that I've only been working for him for 3 months. This leaves me three options:

1) ask for a letter of recommendation from another consultant I did a 2.5 month project with
2) ask my current boss who I've been working with for 2.5 months
3) or ask the department head (whom I've worked on a project with) who gives reviews to all the associates-- meaning, he knows what all the other consultants think about my performance, etc.
4) Oh, almost forgot, the other option is to ask one of my senior colleagues from a job 3 years ago who worked on a 6 month project with me (he did part of my review for that client engagement) to do my letter.

Which two should I choose? I am worried that the one from 3 years ago is too old. Thanks!!!

[guest]

Jeremy,

Thanks for your feedback. Why is the department head at risk? I actually thought he would have been the best one since I worked on a project with him and he gives me my reviews.... thanks.

Thank you for your inquiry.

It seems to me that your only choice is your current supervisor. As long as he can write in a compelling way about the few months that you have been together, you should be fine. After all, you have been at the firm longer than you have served with him, so you will actually come out ahead. His positive review of your last three months will serve as a proxy for your entire experience.

The other consultant is an equally reasonable choice but is not current, so the advantage goes to this supervisor. The past colleague from years ago is not a good choice and the Department Head is a risk.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

i've been working at an accounting firm for 1.5 years now. i switched departments because I wanted to try something different. Also, I didn't get along with my old boss. The new boss seems to like me. The problem is that I've only been working for him for 3 months. This leaves me three options:

1) ask for a letter of recommendation from another consultant I did a 2.5 month project with
2) ask my current boss who I've been working with for 2.5 months
3) or ask the department head (whom I've worked on a project with) who gives reviews to all the associates-- meaning, he knows what all the other consultants think about my performance, etc.
4) Oh, almost forgot, the other option is to ask one of my senior colleagues from a job 3 years ago who worked on a 6 month project with me (he did part of my review for that client engagement) to do my letter.

Which two should I choose? I am worried that the one from 3 years ago is too old. Thanks!!!