Originally Posted by
sigtauenus
In the next 4-6 months, I'll start putting in packages for various reserve units, ANG units, and airlines.
Is there any standard protocol to use when approaching current or former bosses with a recommendation request?
I don't know of any standard protocol for recs other than maybe the official memo from T&Q. I have a rec letter or two I can share for example like that if you need.
IE, do you give them the name of who to write it to and they write it themselves? Do you do the above and add some tasty bullets of good things you did to jar their memory if its been awhile? Do you write the whole thing yourself and just ask them for their John Hancock? Is there a standard recommendation format/content?
How do you handle multiple recommendations? Since I'm looking at about 3-4 different reserve units and probably as many ANG and airline applications, do you just get one generic recommendation that you send to everybody or ask for 8-12 individually addressed applications?
I guess I'm looking at not trying to bother the old men with having to type up so many different versions of their recommendation, and I certainly don't want to have to go back and ask again 6 months from now if I get 8-12 no's and have to start over from scratch.
As difficult as it may be for you to write good things about yourself, you really must write the letter for them and need only signatures. It helped me to tell them "Let me know of any edits you want before you sign." This makes it known that it is a draft and you are willing to change whatever they want and it allows you to send electrons for them to edit if they want. You cannot expect them to write from scratch (my opinion). Seems if you want them to say what a pro you are, you would have to demonstrate that one more time by having your rec letter ready to sign right? I found most bosses printed (or had the exec print) and signed it and had it ready for me same day. Make it easy on them--they are doing you a service, and recognize you may have to come back again for additional requests!
Also, is there any particular way to make the announcement fairly painless, or can I pretty much expect to be persona non grata once its out that I'm "quiting"?