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My manager will write a Recommendation Letter for me. He asked to draft it, what should I include?

Application Recommandation
New answer on Jan 20, 2021
8 Answers
2.8 k Views
Anto asked on Jan 13, 2021

Hi all,

I am finishing my internship in a big Corporate this week. I asked the CFO of my BU for a recommendation letter. I intend to attach this to my application to MBB.

My manager asked me for a template/to draft one myself. I want it to be short but relevant for consulting. I worked on a project for my team, so I want it to be sold as some sort of an internal consulting project.

Do you have any advice on how to draft it? What are the elements that I should include?

Thanks a lot!

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Best answer
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 13, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi Anto,

  1. The first paragraph should include information about the person you're recommending: what is the relationship you have, how do you know him/her, whether you've supervised the recommended person.
  2. The body of the letter should talk about the person's skills, areas of knowldge and potential. Don't forget to include facts: how he/she helped your company, proved by numbers, percentages and so on. Then talk about personal qualities that fit the company or noticeable personal improvements during the internship.
  3. In the closing part, you mention whether you would hire this person again or whether you think he/she would be a valuable asset for the company.

As you can see, the structure is pretty simple. You have a chance to write a recommendation letter for yourself, use it wisely!

Hope it was helpful,

Good luck!

GB

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 13, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi Anto,

This is a bit of a hard one to answer....this isn't a cover letter. Recommendations are written from the heart (or, they're supposed to be). Every single one looks different.

If we give you a formula, it won't sound genuine.

My advice? Write it out based on what you really think your strengths are. Highlight what you've done well. Then, have someone (such as a coach) edit it for extra punch.

However, any other formula we give you will just take away from any sense of authenticity!

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 13, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Hi Anto,

Its nice that your CFO offered to do that.

I agree with what Vlad has said. Reference Letters have become old school and lose their relevance over time (say after 2 yrs). Consider following options:

  • Offer to give your CFO's name/email/contact number to HR/interviewers for reference i.e they can call your CFO to get some feedback on you
  • Ask whether your CFO knows a Partner or someone senior in the consulting firm and can proactively vouch for you

As for the good work you have done the company, all that needs to go on your Cv and cover letter obviously.

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Jan 13, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Recommendation letters are usually not taken into account unless your CFO knows some partners and can personally send it to them. I would recommend looking for a referral instead.

Best,

Vlad

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Anto on Jan 13, 2021

Thanks for your answer, Vlad. Will keep in mind.

Anto on Jan 13, 2021

Unfortunately, however, it does not answer my question!

Denis
Expert
replied on Jan 20, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews

Anto,

ideally you show off skills in the letter that are based on shared skills with consulting. Leadership, process management, analytics, data crunching, exposure to senior colleagues, mentoring, long working hours.

Best,
Denis

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 18, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

The other coaches already gave you interesting insights.

My additional suggestion is to draft your letter around the value you can generate for the company taken from the perspective of a manager who's already worked with you.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

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Anonymous replied on Jan 15, 2021

Agree with Vlad. Don't bother with a recommendation letter that no one will read and focus on creating meaningful connections, directly with MBBs

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 14, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

This is very common, tbh, also for business school.

Furthermore, it´s super uncomfortable, since you need to talk highly about yourself.

I would advise you to build a matrix with the different attributes that you would like to remark, and see in which doc you will cover what (e.g., perhaps you also need to write a presentation letter yourself, and you don´t want to be redudant, but be able to touch as many relevant points as possible)

Feel free to PM

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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