Letters of rec during REPE interview process

I’m a senior currently interviewing for a FT investment analyst role at a REPE firm, waiting to hear back on final round. I worked under a very well respected office broker at a big three brokerage firm last summer who has offered to write me a letter of recommendation. I think it would be very helpful, but is this common practice during an interview process? I really want this role and want to convey that, at the same time don’t want to over do it. If this is a good idea, who do I send it to, or should my broker just send it to them on his own and not through me?

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So a few ideas/thoughts...

- Since this broker offered to help/is former employer, they should def be a reference when/if asked (clearly you should always alert the person, but you can presume its a yes under the circumstance).

- I would go ahead and email the broker and let them know you are in the FT interview process with XYZ firm, ask for any insights they have on the firm and if they could send a note to their contact. If they don't have one (like how they respond), give them the email of the people you have been interviewing with. Hopefully they will send an email recommending you on your behalf (might even bcc you when its sent).

- Tbh, formal letters of rec seem kinda outdated to me (I may be wrong on this tbh) and something only common for like a grad school package. A simple/short email is really all that's needed for same effect (nobody wants to read a long letter anyway...). Asking for a "letter" could take forever, but a quick email is no problem. 

- As for timing, since you somewhere mid-to-final, then now is good. I'd not request someone do this unless you are down the road and legit want the role. The exception to this is when your recommender has a close contact with the target firm and you are very close to them (which sounds like you might be in this situation), then for jobs you really want, its okay to ask the recommender to send note as soon as you have applied (really needs to be like a mentor like relationship with recommender imho). 

Good luck! 

 

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