So I finally got my letter of recommendation from my boss. Background information: my boss was an English major. She's very good at writing all types of documents. I was in shock then angry when I saw the letter.
First, it's one huge block that almost takes up the entire page. Followed by two lines-that she highly recommends me for the position and that my passion makes me an ideal candidate. Second- pretty much all that is in the huge paragraph is a description of my responsibilities.
There is absolutely nothing in the letter about how she feels about me or what she thinks of me as an employee.
It took forever to get this letter. Everyone told me that she would not write one in the first place and that she doesn't want me to leave because I am a good employee and her confidant. When she heard people saying this, she denied it and said she would write an exemplary letter. I have no problem asking her for another letter, it just might take a long time to get. I have two other letters that are glowing. One is from an Assistant Principal, one from the Curriculum Specialist. Should I wait on hers or should I go ahead and apply with the two I have and send an additional one later?
Letter of Recommendation - Disappointing
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overseasvet2
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:50 pm
Recommendations
If you are collecting letters to get registered with ISS or Search, go ahead and submit it to get things moving then you have time to think about next steps. Her last two sentences should say a lot; letters of rec are one more thing to do and if you ask her to do it over, I think, makes you look unappreciative. If you have such a close relationship maybe you can just talk to her about it.
The open letters of recommendation are great for a first screening but it is the phone call she gets that will make all the difference. In my opinion, teachers value the open letters far more than hiring administrators do.
The open letters of recommendation are great for a first screening but it is the phone call she gets that will make all the difference. In my opinion, teachers value the open letters far more than hiring administrators do.
Thanks for your feedback. I wasn't planning to use these letters for agency registration. I am applying to schools on my own and most ask to upload letters of recommendation.
Thank you for pointing out the unappreciative angle. I didn't think about that. It does make me look unappreciative. I guess I'm just disappointed and feeling somewhat betrayed. I'll get over that though.
Thank you for pointing out the unappreciative angle. I didn't think about that. It does make me look unappreciative. I guess I'm just disappointed and feeling somewhat betrayed. I'll get over that though.
Reply
As already written, teachers value open letters of recommendation far more then admins do. What they say in an email if and when contacted is whats really going to matter.
Your principal did not write you a positive letter of recommendation, its a neutral letter. Its a sentence that she recommends you, preceded by a page of filler from your job description. The time it took her to really write this was maybe 15 minutes (and thats assuming they had to wait for the computer to boot up, launch the word processor, and then fiddle around with the printer and look for the letterhead). Im only guessing why, but she may be sore shes loseing a friend and a great teacher. This is their passive/aggressive way of getting back at you for abandoning them.
Asking for a redo of the letter isnt going to be very productive, and isnt really going to be worthwhile to you either. You may want to consider joining an agency where closed referrals are used and they send more or a less a survey that addresses specific aspects of your job they they have to rate. It will more uniformly be available to a school with your other references, and will contain more job related specifics.
Educators by and large are either known for being cold, heartless, incompetent types who couldnt cut it anywhere else, or over emotional hearts on their sleeves sensitive types. Sorry, but the reality is like most things that the best is somewhere in between.
Your principal did not write you a positive letter of recommendation, its a neutral letter. Its a sentence that she recommends you, preceded by a page of filler from your job description. The time it took her to really write this was maybe 15 minutes (and thats assuming they had to wait for the computer to boot up, launch the word processor, and then fiddle around with the printer and look for the letterhead). Im only guessing why, but she may be sore shes loseing a friend and a great teacher. This is their passive/aggressive way of getting back at you for abandoning them.
Asking for a redo of the letter isnt going to be very productive, and isnt really going to be worthwhile to you either. You may want to consider joining an agency where closed referrals are used and they send more or a less a survey that addresses specific aspects of your job they they have to rate. It will more uniformly be available to a school with your other references, and will contain more job related specifics.
Educators by and large are either known for being cold, heartless, incompetent types who couldnt cut it anywhere else, or over emotional hearts on their sleeves sensitive types. Sorry, but the reality is like most things that the best is somewhere in between.
Yes, I know it's a neutral letter. And I doubt it even took 15 minutes. Although she claims she stayed so late to write it. So yeah, I agree with all you said. I was just wondering if I should still attach her letter or wait for them to contact her. Since open letters aren't that valuable, would it be suspect if I didn't include hers?
Re: Letter of Recommendation - Disappointing
[quote="Eden"]
First, it's one huge block that almost takes up the entire page. Followed by two lines-that she highly recommends me for the position and that my passion makes me an ideal candidate. Second- pretty much all that is in the huge paragraph is a description of my responsibilities.
There is absolutely nothing in the letter about how she feels about me or what she thinks of me as an employee. [/quote]
Eden, I just don't see what you're complaining about. She detailed your responsibilities and stated that you're an ideal candidate. Why would she include how she "feels" about you? She's keeping it professional, rather than personal.
First, it's one huge block that almost takes up the entire page. Followed by two lines-that she highly recommends me for the position and that my passion makes me an ideal candidate. Second- pretty much all that is in the huge paragraph is a description of my responsibilities.
There is absolutely nothing in the letter about how she feels about me or what she thinks of me as an employee. [/quote]
Eden, I just don't see what you're complaining about. She detailed your responsibilities and stated that you're an ideal candidate. Why would she include how she "feels" about you? She's keeping it professional, rather than personal.
Heyteach- it's clearly a neutral letter. I have read plenty of recommendation letters and written plenty. My resume details my job responsibilities, I don't need a letter of recommendation to do that.
When I say how she feels about me... Hmm, when I write letters I write about the individuals personality. Do they show commitment. Are they a team player. I write what stands out about the candidate. Maybe I'm wrong but I thought a letter of recommendation highlights skills, talents, specific areas of knowledge, accomplishments, techniques, successes, etc. I'm not asking her to write that I listen to her vent or helps when she is having a crisis it I would have appreciated a description of the type of employee I am.
When I say how she feels about me... Hmm, when I write letters I write about the individuals personality. Do they show commitment. Are they a team player. I write what stands out about the candidate. Maybe I'm wrong but I thought a letter of recommendation highlights skills, talents, specific areas of knowledge, accomplishments, techniques, successes, etc. I'm not asking her to write that I listen to her vent or helps when she is having a crisis it I would have appreciated a description of the type of employee I am.
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misskatie78
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:20 am
How annoying!
I'd be annoyed too, but it's not the end of the world. What they say about you when contacted directly is what matters. Good schools will always check with referees before appointing you. It's your CV that will get their attention first - not letters of recommendation etc.
Discussion
@Eden
What are you absolutely sure she is going to say about you, when contacted? Are you sure there is NOTHING during your performance that would be negative and or problematic???
I ask because the kind of letter your principal wrote is a "leading" letter. Its bait, I HAVE to call your principal and interview her with all the questions that a supervisor would normally put in a letter. Most supervisors would rather save themselves all the time of answering the same questions repeatedly, by writing them one time and then just confirming a few things when following up on the reference. Usually, when I get these letters and I call they drop a few off handed remarks that are warning flags, or they drop a back handed compliment, they might say something like "they have very high grading standards" in such a way or within context that suggests their grading standards are extreme and possibly unattainable.
Back to the question, you have to include the reference letter. If you dont, its going to be a warning sign (you could make an excuse and say your district doesnt provide direct letters), but no matter what when they call to interview your principal they may discover you were given a letter, and then they will wonder why you didnt submit it, and the conclusion is always going to be that you must have had something to hide, and then they will wonder what else your hiding, and it amounts to a lot of explanation that you may not get the opportunity to do.
I would be upfront in the interview about the letter and issue with your principal, be brief and professional. A comment such as "I wish my principals letter had been more detailed" and then drop it. You dont know why they gave you the letter they did, and anything more might sound like their was a problem.
The other option is that if your not 100% sure they arent going to say anything negative, you could just forget your principals recommendation. Its an immediate warning sign, but youve got a glowing letter from your AP, who you could say was much more familiar with your performance then your principal (its actually pretty common) and then include another reference, and if asked (or pushed) you can provide your principals contact information.
What are you absolutely sure she is going to say about you, when contacted? Are you sure there is NOTHING during your performance that would be negative and or problematic???
I ask because the kind of letter your principal wrote is a "leading" letter. Its bait, I HAVE to call your principal and interview her with all the questions that a supervisor would normally put in a letter. Most supervisors would rather save themselves all the time of answering the same questions repeatedly, by writing them one time and then just confirming a few things when following up on the reference. Usually, when I get these letters and I call they drop a few off handed remarks that are warning flags, or they drop a back handed compliment, they might say something like "they have very high grading standards" in such a way or within context that suggests their grading standards are extreme and possibly unattainable.
Back to the question, you have to include the reference letter. If you dont, its going to be a warning sign (you could make an excuse and say your district doesnt provide direct letters), but no matter what when they call to interview your principal they may discover you were given a letter, and then they will wonder why you didnt submit it, and the conclusion is always going to be that you must have had something to hide, and then they will wonder what else your hiding, and it amounts to a lot of explanation that you may not get the opportunity to do.
I would be upfront in the interview about the letter and issue with your principal, be brief and professional. A comment such as "I wish my principals letter had been more detailed" and then drop it. You dont know why they gave you the letter they did, and anything more might sound like their was a problem.
The other option is that if your not 100% sure they arent going to say anything negative, you could just forget your principals recommendation. Its an immediate warning sign, but youve got a glowing letter from your AP, who you could say was much more familiar with your performance then your principal (its actually pretty common) and then include another reference, and if asked (or pushed) you can provide your principals contact information.
Thank you!!
Misskatie - it's even more annoying because I sit on the interview committee at my school and I know how we scrutize applicant documents. Thanks for your input. Hopefully, my other documentation will lead to a phone call.
Psyguy- at this point I am not sure what she is going to say. If you asked me last week, I would have been 100% confident in what she would say. I don't expect her to say anything negative because that would be a flat out lie.
Thank you so much for your advice re: submitting the letter. Makes sense.
I really appreciate all feedback received in this thread.
Psyguy- at this point I am not sure what she is going to say. If you asked me last week, I would have been 100% confident in what she would say. I don't expect her to say anything negative because that would be a flat out lie.
Thank you so much for your advice re: submitting the letter. Makes sense.
I really appreciate all feedback received in this thread.