Getting recommendations from the boss
09-21-2007, 07:01 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: HMMWV in Iraq
Posts: 328
Getting recommendations from the boss
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?
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.
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"?
Is there any standard protocol to use when approaching current or former bosses with a recommendation request?
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.
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"?
09-21-2007, 07:23 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: C-17, DAL 737B
Posts: 120
Sig,
As someone who recently decided to split too, I can tell you that I waited until the last minute to tell the bosses. There are WAY too many 179 day non-flying TDYs to Iraq that you would get on the "short list" for. As much as it sounds like retribution, it kinda makes sense...let me explain: You say "you're done" and leaving the service and Johnny is staying in (to the bosses knowledge) who gets sent on these deals? You guessed it, the guy that has already decided to leave. Giving a guy that says he's leaving does no harm in their eyes (Bosses thoughts: What's he going to do get out? He already is.) For this reason alone be careful and make doggone sure that you are committed to the decision you make!
Philly
As someone who recently decided to split too, I can tell you that I waited until the last minute to tell the bosses. There are WAY too many 179 day non-flying TDYs to Iraq that you would get on the "short list" for. As much as it sounds like retribution, it kinda makes sense...let me explain: You say "you're done" and leaving the service and Johnny is staying in (to the bosses knowledge) who gets sent on these deals? You guessed it, the guy that has already decided to leave. Giving a guy that says he's leaving does no harm in their eyes (Bosses thoughts: What's he going to do get out? He already is.) For this reason alone be careful and make doggone sure that you are committed to the decision you make!
Philly
09-21-2007, 07:37 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: C-17, DAL 737B
Posts: 120
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"?
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"?
09-22-2007, 08:14 PM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 37
I can't speek for the ANG/RES, but as for the airlines here's what I found. Most airlines work one of two ways, they either want you to bring the letters to the interview or they want online recommendations from inside their company.
So go ahead and apply at all the airlines you plan to work for, most do it online nowadays. Some will require Rec's from inside, get those, no need to tell the boss yet. Then when you get the call for the interview, tell the boss you have an interview with XYZ and request a letter.
At this point you should know who to address the letter to i.e People Dept, Chief Pilot, etc. Most Bosses I had, did not want me to write the letter, but they did want a good list of accomplishments, format, and who to address it to.
So I found it best to give them a package which included a sample letter (electronc), mlitary style bullets of my career, and a resume. I would make the sample close to what you want for the real thing.
As far as how the boss is going to take it, I wouldn't worry about that. If you're a good guy and served well, the boss will understand. I've seen all kinds of things happen to guys researching their options, some get hammered, but most don't. I've seen guys go all the way through the process, land a good airline job, and then decide to stay in. Most good commanders out there have been through the decision process you are going through and understand ultimatley you are going to do what is best for you and your family. If you get the one who doesn't understand, well too bad, nothing you can do about that.
As For the ANG/Res vs Airline, I'm sure you probably already know this, but the two resumes are very different for the two different kinds of jobs.
So go ahead and apply at all the airlines you plan to work for, most do it online nowadays. Some will require Rec's from inside, get those, no need to tell the boss yet. Then when you get the call for the interview, tell the boss you have an interview with XYZ and request a letter.
At this point you should know who to address the letter to i.e People Dept, Chief Pilot, etc. Most Bosses I had, did not want me to write the letter, but they did want a good list of accomplishments, format, and who to address it to.
So I found it best to give them a package which included a sample letter (electronc), mlitary style bullets of my career, and a resume. I would make the sample close to what you want for the real thing.
As far as how the boss is going to take it, I wouldn't worry about that. If you're a good guy and served well, the boss will understand. I've seen all kinds of things happen to guys researching their options, some get hammered, but most don't. I've seen guys go all the way through the process, land a good airline job, and then decide to stay in. Most good commanders out there have been through the decision process you are going through and understand ultimatley you are going to do what is best for you and your family. If you get the one who doesn't understand, well too bad, nothing you can do about that.
As For the ANG/Res vs Airline, I'm sure you probably already know this, but the two resumes are very different for the two different kinds of jobs.
09-23-2007, 08:47 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 248
"Is there any standard protocol to use when approaching current or former bosses with a recommendation request?"
Recommend (having just done this) that you explain your situation, then simply ask him for a recommendation. Assuming he says yes, then ask if he'd like you to get him a "draft" of a recommendation. If yes, then you're writing it for his signature. If no, then be ready to give him some bullets of stuff you've done. Most big wigs want to write something a little more detailed than "he's a good dude" and will want to include specifics of some stuff you've done. Do the thinking for him and give him highlights of what you've done. I'd have most of that ready before you start asking, so you can pass it along right away.
"can I pretty much expect to be persona non grata once its out that I'm "quiting"?[/quote]"
Completely depends on your boss. Realistically, every reasonable dude thinks about jumping out around the 8-12 year point. Some dudes simply forget about that fact when they make O-5. I had a couple great bosses when/since I announced my plans to get out. I never got even a hint of a bad attitude out of them and never got penalized at all. If your CC is a good dude, you'll be fine. If your CC just pretends to be a good dude or is an a$$, then all bets are off.
Recommend (having just done this) that you explain your situation, then simply ask him for a recommendation. Assuming he says yes, then ask if he'd like you to get him a "draft" of a recommendation. If yes, then you're writing it for his signature. If no, then be ready to give him some bullets of stuff you've done. Most big wigs want to write something a little more detailed than "he's a good dude" and will want to include specifics of some stuff you've done. Do the thinking for him and give him highlights of what you've done. I'd have most of that ready before you start asking, so you can pass it along right away.
"can I pretty much expect to be persona non grata once its out that I'm "quiting"?[/quote]"
Completely depends on your boss. Realistically, every reasonable dude thinks about jumping out around the 8-12 year point. Some dudes simply forget about that fact when they make O-5. I had a couple great bosses when/since I announced my plans to get out. I never got even a hint of a bad attitude out of them and never got penalized at all. If your CC is a good dude, you'll be fine. If your CC just pretends to be a good dude or is an a$$, then all bets are off.
09-24-2007, 04:00 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 471
Unless you flew with your boss on a regular basis, get the recs from someone that can attest to your skills. I preferred guys that I flew with at more than one base. In reality, your recs are expected to be great praise so they don't carry too much weight (except internals where the company wants internals). Your TMAATs will win you the job.
I did get abandoned by management when I announced my separation.
I did get abandoned by management when I announced my separation.
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