Recommendation Letters

[zcdh30]

Hello, most of the schools I plan on applying for require 2 letters of recommendation. Do you think it would be more valuable to have 1 from my present full-time employer and 1 from undergrad professor of capstone course, or 1 from present FT employer and 1 from past part-time employer of 5 years. I've seen articles saying that recommendations from professors dont hold much weight, but I've also seen articles saying that recommendations from professors are very valuable.

Thank you for your help!

[mili]

Hello,

How far out of school are you? Typically, I'd advise avoiding recommendations from professors and leaning more on professional recommendations, even if the two professional recommendations come from the same company. You could have your immediate supervisor and a director write your recommendations, for example. Or, your previous part-time employer could work --- best if you could have two full-time employers review you though. I might need to understand your circumstance more clearly, but I'd go with two professional recommendations.

Good luck,
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
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[zcdh30]

I am 1 year removed from graduation. Have been working for current FT employer since shortly before graduation. I worked for the previous PT employer for 4 1/2 years while in undergrad.

[mili]

As I just mentioned in response to your other post - ideally, you'd work for a few more years in a full time position and then get two professional recommendations. I'd still say that getting two recommendations from your current employer is the next best case - one direct supervisor and someone who has indirectly managed you, perhaps (e.g. head of sales?) If for some reason that is not an option, then you should pick the person who is going to be able to speak to your leadership capabilities - I'd guess your part time employer would be best as he/she has seen you develop consistently over time, vs. a professor who only really knew you for a semester.

Good luck!
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com
 
Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)
 
Download [url=http:// http://info.mbamission.com/MBA-Personal-Statement-Guide/]mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide[/url]
 
Visit the mbaMission Blog
 
Follow mbaMission on Twitter