The most vital ingredient is relationship – make sure that your recommender knows you well and is prepared to take the time to write a supportive and thorough letter on your behalf.
Admissions committees want objective, candid insights that bring your credentials to life. They look to recommenders because they should possess specific knowledge and insight about you that few other will have – not just what you’ve done but how you’ve done it in terms of your impact on other people and your organisation. This means detailing your performance with specific examples rather than platitudes.
Admissions officers are looking for a recommender’s honest reflection backed up by concrete evidence.
You won’t impress business schools with fancy titles or illustrious names if it’s clear that you haven’t worked closely with your recommender. If they can’t speak to your abilities and potential, as well as areas for growth, with any depth, they aren’t the right person for the task.
Similarly, don’t pursue colleagues who are alumni of your target program if they haven’t had meaningful professional interaction with you. While they may be well-poised to cite the qualities required of a successful student at their schools, their lack of specific knowledge about you will be obvious.
The best letters, therefore, are from a current or recent supervisor. If you think this will jeopardise your job reality, and you would prefer to ask someone else – for example, a client – consider mentioning this in your optional essay. Admissions officers understand such situations, but would rather know why you made this decision rather than having to read the tea leaves.
Ideally, your recommender is both senior and can credibly provide first-hand accounts of your excellence. But don’t make the mistake of assuming they’ll know what they’re doing. I’ve seen too many great applicants let down by lacklustre recommendations, probably unintentionally, because the person didn't know what was expected.
As former admissions directors and business school insiders, my colleagues at Fortuna Admissions and I have distilled our best advice below.