Getting Great Recommendations

I've been looking at several blogs of MBA applicants and everyone seems to be writing about studying or taking the GMAT! I've also run across a lot of questions about recommendations. So, I wanted to go over some of the things I've learned...

In our show called "MBA Application Essays and Recommendations: Where to Begin?", UCLA's Linda Meehan said, "The reality is that most people have to begin to think [about recommendations] early in their careers. And it’s not just the salary. It is the mentorship, the training, the input and the feedback that is making them better over time. And that’s not just from their employer, but it’s also from the things that they’re involved in extracurricularly or in terms of community. So there are people who can write your recommendation who have a deep knowledge of who you are and what it is you have to offer. But it’s only because you have allowed them to know you, and to assist you, and to watch you grow."

If you haven't been grooming your employer for the past few years to write you a recommendation then here are some other tips to get your recommender prepared:

1- Ask early. In general, give your recommender 2 months to write and submit. Follow up occasionally. Don't wait until the last day to ask if they've written your recommendation! You might want to give a 'fake' deadline - one earlier than the actual deadline - to give yourself some leeway.

2- Don't leave your recommender empty handed. Prepare a memo, maybe even two pages long, explaining why you want an MBA and how you see it helping you meet your career goals (the same sorts of things you write in your essays). Also, provide some examples of times you exhibited leadership ability and teamwork and qualities you'd like him/her to highlight. The goal is to get a recommendation that is full of detail about you and all the great work you've done.

3- Don't go for the person with the great title that doesn't know anything about you. CEO, President, CFO, etc. Those big shots in the company won't be as impressive to admissions officers if they don't have anything personal to say about you. You want to approach the person that knows you the best and can write in detail about your work. Paul Bodine - author of "Great Application Essays for Business School” - said, "A general, unspecific letter is like the kiss of death."