Hello TWW, I'm EMCE. Perhaps you have seen a post or two of mine on the website http://www.thewolfweb.com .

Ok, so I've been listed as a reference for quite a few people over the years, but I have never had to write a letter of recommendation to someone applying to a new job. I'm being requested to do this now. I have some ideas as to what goes into them, as well as what I want to say. But I would appreciate some of YOUR input just to validate some of my assumptions. Also, would it be appropriate to include my business card? Is there any standard format?

A few side notes:
-This is for my former department head and tech. lead from back in NY
-The position being applied to is in an academic setting leading an applied research project and mentoring graduate students through their thesis/dissertation
-This guy that I am writing the letter for could be considered a mentor of mine when I was first getting started at my company


Thoughts?

Thanks,
EMCE

6/13/2011 6:37:34 PM

GOOGLE BITCH!

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

[Edited on June 13, 2011 at 6:42 PM. Reason : YES I HAVE MY CAPS LOCK ON TODAY]

6/13/2011 6:38:36 PM

... obviously, I'm looking for more personal experiences and interactions that a google search wouldn't yield.

6/13/2011 6:41:21 PM

As a business owner, Letters of Recommendation are useless to me because they are based on a biased source.

For instance, what kind of person would write a Letter of Recommendation as a favor... that asks the boss NOT to hire someone?

Therefore, I wouldn't believe anything stated in a LoR.

6/13/2011 6:41:46 PM

This guy can challenge the best of the best. He's a stand up gentleman and can hold his own against even the best. He knows how to handle the load and he never cracks under pressure. Oh, and he's black. A huge plus in the eyes of the government.

6/13/2011 6:41:59 PM

Actually that's pretty good,Merbig... just have to back up those words with evidence.

6/13/2011 6:43:21 PM

That actually DOES bring up another important point. I can't really name or describe specific projects or $$ amounts of projects that we worked on together because... they were classified. There goes the whole 'back up with evidence' thing.

6/13/2011 6:45:34 PM

Quote :

"It ain't real unless you got graphs"

6/13/2011 6:45:54 PM

EMCE where do you work?

6/13/2011 6:46:30 PM

Word.

6/13/2011 6:49:35 PM

Quote :

" As a business owner, Letters of Recommendation are useless to me because they are based on a biased source I run a pizza place."

6/13/2011 6:57:11 PM

Everytime I've done letters of rec I've offered to wright a first draft and let the person edit as they see fit.

6/13/2011 6:58:36 PM

^

all my professors in UG made us write the draft and they edited them as needed and sent them to grad school so i never knew what edits they made but i got into grad school

6/13/2011 7:02:01 PM

Pretty sure you would have gotten into grad school regardle$$ of the letter of recommendation

6/13/2011 7:28:25 PM

Trust him, he's a doctor pizza shop proprietor.

6/13/2011 7:36:30 PM

Yep, because plumbers could never fix a car problem.

6/13/2011 7:43:27 PM

Quote :

"Everytime I've done letters of rec I've offered to wright a first draft and let the person edit as they see fit. "

Bee sure to proofreed it.

6/13/2011 8:10:38 PM

I have never written a letter of recommendation, but my old research mentor showed me the one he sent to my program director (voluntarily, I guess he was really proud of me? )

If you want to see it I could PM you... he mainly mentioned leadership, what expectations I met, work ethic, etc

6/13/2011 9:00:34 PM

i agree with the first draft. they need to give you something to lead with. writing blind may make them feel like you left things out that may make them appear like a better candidate.

6/13/2011 9:06:48 PM

Here is my recommendation for my friend and colleague, EMCE.
He is a very nice gentleman and indeed, is outstanding in his field.
(pic provided for proof!)



<3,

H8R

6/13/2011 9:10:19 PM

send the boss a kissy face

bosses love kissy faces

/chit chat

6/13/2011 9:13:32 PM

Feel free to use mines as a template.

6/13/2011 9:14:55 PM

Send them a kiss face followed by a Smokey face

6/13/2011 9:17:05 PM

^ cause then it means the was real good

6/13/2011 9:21:52 PM

Quote :

"I have never written a letter of recommendation, but my old research mentor showed me the one he sent to my program director (voluntarily, I guess he was really proud of me? ) If you want to see it I could PM you... he mainly mentioned leadership, what expectations I met, work ethic, etc"

please do PM me this letter. It will give me some ideas....
thanks.

6/13/2011 9:53:04 PM

Since when is Lounge Chit Chat #2?

You might have some luck getting ideas by checking out LinkedIn recommendations for good, public, generic crap that you could discuss. The heavy networking professionals typically have more of them.

Here are some examples:

Quote :

"“Simply put, ___ is the best! I don't have to ask her to do something, because she will have already understood the need and have done it. Great at social media, analysis, client interactions and so much more including intern recruitment, grants, program/events development, and project management. Two thumbs up - three if I had them!” January 12, 2011"

-maybe not quite that professional...

Quote :

"“I had the pleasure of working as one of ___'s first interns at the _______. She takes naturally to project management, providing guidance and oversight as needed while encouraging creativity and independence for each project. For example, one of our goals was the development of a "beta-version" website and the associated content. Laura ensured that I had all of the resources and basic framework necessary to succeed, while giving me the opportunity to spearhead development and generate original content. From concept to prototype, she was always available for valuable feedback and support. "

Quote :

"“I've had the great pleasure of working with ___ for a number of years as a fellow volunteer at our ____ and currently serve along with her on the executive committee. She brings a degree of enthusiasm and professionalism to the table that has increased our ability to further serve our membership. Thank you, ___ , for the opportunity to work together!” November 1, 2010"

6/13/2011 10:00:19 PM

I have had the pleasure of working with a plethora of talented individuals in the past, but candidate xxxx something something something

6/13/2011 11:00:31 PM

I didn't ask for it, but my first boss' boss wrote me a great letter of recommendation (imo) and left it on my desk for me on my last day of work. I think it follows a pretty standard format. If you want to see it as an example, pm me an email address and I'll send you a scanned copy of the letter.

6/14/2011 12:39:39 AM

Your old boss wants you to write a letter of recommendation for him?

[Edited on June 14, 2011 at 11:52 AM. Reason : v]

6/14/2011 11:51:36 AM

I think its important to highlight at least one specific instance of that person excelling at his work, rather than just a generic "hard worker, motivated, strives for excellence" blahzy blah blaha that everyone else puts. Maybe he dominated a project, worked around the clock to meet a key deadline or brought in bagels every Friday. Something that makes them stick out. Anyone can just grab a thesaurus.

6/14/2011 12:16:36 PM

Quote :

"Since when is Lounge Chit Chat #2?"

my bad

i figured since it was EMCE's thread, i was in chit chat

noticed it after i posted

i'll try to contribute more positively later, k

6/16/2011 2:04:25 AM