MetaChat - Ever have a reference letter so good...

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10 November 2005

Ever have a reference letter so good... that it made you wonder if you should stay?→[More:]

I don't know. Maybe it's a "feeling appreciated" thing, or the idea that I have potential where I am. But I asked for a reference letter, and I knew it would be positive... but the glow off this thing is blinding. The best I've ever seen in fact -- aside from one girl I dated who had a letter from the Attorney General saying that she was the best employee he'd ever had. Ok, you can't beat that with a stick.

Anyway, does this make any sense? It seems warped to me. Have you ever gotten such a good recommendation that it made you wonder if you should reconsider leaving?

post by: dreamsign at: 00:50 | 6 comments

I did get a great, glowing reference letter, once, from a great guy, back when I was a temp and he knew I shouldn't be working as a temp.

It didn't help me get a job, but then I wasn't a good networker back then (still ain't).

His girlfriend was crushed in an elevator, and survived. He died of a brain tumor.

posted by stilicho 10 November | 00:57

Note that this recommendation did not evaluate my ability to post properly. Sheisse.

posted by dreamsign 10 November | 01:02

You have a girlfriend? What's that like?

posted by orthogonality 10 November | 02:14

I have never had a reference letter from any former employer and I have never asked for a reference letter from a potential employee. Any employer in the US knows that a bad reference is an invitation to a lawsuit and thus will at worst give a vague letter.

The fact that you have received such a great letter does suggest to me your employer really does like you. Still, you are looking for a new job so something in your present situation is not satisfying you (money, schedule, co-workers, challenges etc.). If you really want to reconsider then you need to ask yourself why you want to leave and then take to your boss to see if you can change the problem. If you can’t get rid of the problem then all the love is still not going to make you happy.

posted by arse_hat 10 November | 02:24

take to your boss = talk to your boss

posted by arse_hat 10 November | 02:25

Hmm. Good points, arse_hat. I think I decide partway through any job that I really have no talent in it -- which is why this has me turned upside down a bit. But it does still lack a few important elements. Thanks for that.

posted by dreamsign 10 November | 17:39

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