In a previous article, I discussed how MBA recommendation letters are a crucial component of the overall application.
This process can often feel daunting, particularly when you’re asking someone to support you while you’re preparing to leave their company.
What is required of MBA recommendation letters
Typically, recommenders will need to respond to several questions in their letter that address the following themes and questions:
- Strengths and weaknesses: What are your key strengths and areas for improvement?
- Impact and achievements: Describe a time when you made a significant impact at work and what the outcome was.
- Leadership and teamwork: Provide an example of your leadership and ability to work in teams.
- Overall recommendation: Why do they believe you are a strong candidate for a specific school’s MBA program?
Who should your recommenders be?
Schools will specify the types of recommenders they prefer (e.g., from a professional experience, extra-curricular leadership activity, etc).
Most M7 programs prefer recommendations from current or former supervisors who can speak to your professional achievements and potential.
If you cannot provide a recommendation from a direct supervisor (e.g., due to confidentiality concerns), an indirect supervisor, a client, or a senior colleague may be acceptable. Seniority matters, so trying and find these supporters is important.
The bottom line is to choose recommenders who know you well and can provide detailed and specific examples of your skills, character, and accomplishments.
How do you best prepare your recommenders?
To obtain a strong recommendation, you not only need to provide your recommenders with enough time to draft a strong recommendation letter but also enough information and guidance so that they understand what is required of them.
Here are six (6) things to communicate as you prepare your recommenders to support your application.
- Importance of the recommender: Have you chosen this person because they are your last-ditch hope, or is it a well-thought-out decision? Explain why you believe they are the right person to write your recommendation. Highlight specific experiences or projects you’ve worked on together that they can reference.
- Significance of the application: Share your motivations for pursuing an MBA, your career goals, and why you’ve chosen specific programs. This helps your recommender understand the context and tailor their letter accordingly.
- Your qualifications and experience: Don’t assume that the recommender knows everything about you, or which parts of your background they should highlight to support your application. Provide the recommender with your resume, a summary of your achievements, and the key points you’d like them to cover. For me, I created a PowerPoint that included the key questions asked by schools, and bullet points summarizing my experiences that could relate to each question to help guide them.
- Broader context: Offer to provide any additional information or context they might need. Be open to discussing your strengths and any areas for improvement they might mention.
- The application deadline: Ensure your recommenders are aware of the application deadlines and have enough time to write a thoughtful letter. That is why it’s important to reach out to them early on to give them enough time.
- How to apply: Ensure that they know how to apply and follow up to ensure submission. Politely remind your recommenders as the deadline approaches to ensure timely submission.
Content of recommendation letters
Although you will not be able to see the exact content of the letters from your recommenders, I believe that they should focus on highlighting the following:
- Specific examples: Your recommenders should be made aware that they should provide specific instances where you demonstrated key skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and impact. Your recommenders will also be able to give insight into your personal qualities, including integrity, empathy, resilience, and adaptability.
- A strong and positive evaluation: Your recommenders will be expected to place your performance and potential in context by comparing you to your peers.
- Goals and future potential: Your recommenders should discuss your career trajectory and potential for future success.
An important final consideration
There is a strong expectation that you will not read the recommendation letter from your recommender. Usually, the MBA application includes a checkbox to confirm that you will not view the letter. This assures the school that you trust your recommender and did not assist in drafting the letter. As a result, you will not know exactly what was written. Therefore, choose your recommender carefully; selecting someone you are confident will advocate for you effectively.
In conclusion
Selecting a recommender is a significant decision given the weight these letters carry in the MBA application process.
Start early and have backup recommenders ready in case some are unable or unwilling to write your letter.
Jeff Zhang currently serves as a Consultant at McKinsey, specializing in private equity, transportation, technology, and sustainability sectors. Before this role, he spearheaded the creation of an innovative final-mile logistics product at a startup, later acquired by Shopify. His background includes significant experience in consulting, logistics and successful applications to global MBA programs.
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