Hi guys:
I recently left my first job and I'm about to start my second job. I'm interested in applying for business school after I work for 2 years at my 2nd job. When would you say is the best time for me to ask for a recommendation from my boss at the 1st job? My boss from my first job is always busy and is based in another country, but I left on good terms. I've mentioned to him that I would need a recommendation down the line before I left (he was supportive of the idea, but he's been busy so I haven't seen anything yet). Should I formally ask him again relatively soon, and get a letter in hand as soon as I can?
Thank you!
1st job? I think you should ask ASAP.
Key thing is to make it as easy as possible for him/her - create a "cheat sheet" of your biggest accomplishments/contributions during your first job which will in turn act as an outline for your boss to write the rec.
If you aren't applying for a couple years, you need to wait until then to have your old boss write the recs. It's fairly likely that schools will change their questions/requirements. So long as your boss is aware that you'll need recs down the line I wouldn't worry about it until you're actually applying. Just keep in touch and stay on good terms. Hopefully 2 years from now you'll also have some more recent people to provide recs as well.
Agree with @fourwes that you may be making your old boss do work that may be irrelevant 2 years down the road. Things do change! Your very best bet is to keep in touch and to let him or her know your progress at your new job. The recommendation is indeed about your activities while you were supervised by the boss, but it will become more meaningful to the reader if he or she sees your development over time.
thank you for the input Betsy, fourwes, and carriedinterest25! I will probably prepare the draft/outline asap, and then ask him somewhere between 3 months to 6 months from now. thanks!
And of course I cannot help but advertise my article on Poets & Quants about the recommendation process. I know, I'm a broken record, but in I did a survey of the best links all over the web,and there's some excellent advice from admissions directors and former students who really map it out for you: http://poetsandquants.com/2012/11/21/wrangling-great-recommendations/
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