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amanda.rautenberg
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Rotational Job Structure – Recommendations?

by amanda.rautenberg Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:01 pm

Hello,

I know schools like to see recommendations from people who have had a strong, consistent relationship with a candidate, but I don’t really have anyone matching that description at my current job. Because of the way our work is structured (I’m at a consulting firm), I have a new client and a new manager every six months or so. In other words, over the past two years, I’ve had four different managers.

Of these, I can think of one who would do a very good job with a recommendation but he was my boss on my last project, which ended three months ago and only lasted for seven months total. I am forced to go with my current manager, even though I think he is less likely to write a strong letter and has only worked with me for three months? I can’t ask my administrative supervisor (who has technically overseen me though never worked with me day-to-day) because we don’t have a close relationship and he really resents people who leave the firm for graduate school - in fact, he doesn’t even know that I’m applying.

Supplementing this, I can definitely get a solid recommendation from someone who worked with me for four summers while I was interning at his firm, as well as an ok recommendation from someone from my college days.

Any advice is appreciated - Thanks!
mbamission
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Re: Rotational Job Structure – Recommendations?

by mbamission Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:10 pm

Please check your target schools recommendation policies first and foremost. For most programs, you should use your current manager, and if not, you must explain why you didn't get a recommendation from that person. Valid reasons include that you've only worked with them for a limited time, or you just can't tell them because it may impact your job security. I think your previous manager (that you worked with for 7 months) is a good choice. Just make sure this person can write concrete anecdotes and speak to your leadership accomplishments and potential. If you can't use your current manager, you can consider using a client or someone that you've worked with through an extra-curricular activity (as long as they can evaluate you from an objective perspective). It would help if they are more senior than you are.

Hope this helps!

Monica Okrah
MBA Mission
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