Letters of recommendations

[shookem]

What do you guys think of letters of recommendations?
Are they worth the paper it's printed on?

I just got a great one from the senior copy editor at a major Toronto daily.

Will this really help me get a job. It kinda feels like I'm showing off or something.

I dunno, I collect them like pokemon but I'm not sure I've ever gotten a job because of it.

 

[cpawfan]

It is very career dependent. Your best bet is to talk to senior people in your field.

 

[shookem]

Hmmm, well I'm getting the letters from senior people in my field, so I hope they're not snickering while they write it.

"stupid young sap, thinks this thing is worth anything."

 

[shookem]

i asked my boss and he said they didn't mean much. couldn't hurt but don't worry if you don't have them.

too bad cause this guy from the Sun really made me look good.

 

[cpawfan]

Well the important thing is to keep up the networking aspect. It never hurts to have him mention your name if he hears of job opportunities.

 

[AEM]

You definitely don't want to show too many of them - at least in the legal field. Maybe a couple - don't want to pile it on.

 

[shookem]

I really only have a single current one that would relate to anything I'll be applying too soon.

Maybe I just wanted some validation - some proof that I was better than my peers (not to say he didn't write the same thing for other people but he's a pretty genuine guy).

If nothing else it'll be like an affirmation when I doubt myself. The guy was a mentor to me so maybe it's superficial but having it makes me feel like I'm more likely to get it right.

 

[AEM]

Having one really good one is the best thing.