WWYD? Job-search-related.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Yesterday, I found a job posting for a job which would be <5 minute commute, pay 2x as much as my current job, provide full benefits (including retirement) and would be well within my abilities.  In fact, I may be slightly over-qualified, but not by much.  It's ideal.  The problem is, they want an in-person (at a local job center) typing certification and 3 current letters of recommendation.  By 5pm on Monday.

I can't ask my current boss for a letter, since they don't even know I'm looking (and I'd prefer to keep it that way.)  Obviously, family is out.  Are friends ok for letters of recommendation for a job, or should I be contacting former employers/coworkers for this?  Help!  

I've never actually needed a letter of recommendation, so I have no idea how to do this.  Flame away.

[candreco]

I'd try to have at least one former employer/supervisor minimum, and no more than one friend recommendation. Do you volunteer anywhere that someone would be willing to write a letter? An old coworker you're still in touch with?

[ktzmoh]

Yes to the former employer letter - you should have at least one of those and preferably 2 or all 3. Don't you teach swim or something like that? Someone from that organization may be able to write about your outgoing nature and self-motivated personality. How about former professors or something like that? I'd reach out to more than you need because some people will not be able to turn it around in so short a time frame

I'd go do the typing thing today, and go visit the potential employer to let them know you'll be applying and are gathering LORs.

[pitterwoo]

No friends! But a coworker can do in a pinch. Definitely consider old professors, volunteer work or other organizations and committees you've done. That said, I hate that they are requiring letters upfront and would be hard pressed to get 3 myself.

[Deleted]

Do you have a friend in the same field as you, or the field you're applying to?
If so, use that friend so she can talk up your professional accomplishments/relate your skills but leave the friend relationship out of it easy enough.

And yeah, round up a former employer, coworker, volunteer coordinator somewhere for the other two.

[mrs.jacinthe]

See, and this is the problem. I've been at my current job for 5+ years now, so any reference I get will have to be a long-distant coworker. Which is fine, but I don't know that it would be wise to use them exclusively. Additionally, I've been out of college for 10+ years (OMG, WHAT?!) and I actually have completely distanced myself from my school. As in, I pretty much refuse to acknowledge that it existed and I don't talk to anyone from those years any more. I've burned those bridges and now I've kinda effed myself. Also, I don't think I have any friends in an HR position at this point. I have a LOT of friends in higher-ed or research, but no-one working in this field.

Ugh.

HR peeps, do you really think a letter from an athletic organization I volunteer with would work? I mean, they'd be attesting to my ability to set up triathlons, use a kayak, and hand out water. I don't know how that could be related to an admin assistant position?

[Deleted]

I'm sure this is industry specific but I read a lot of applications/resumes/letters in my job (education). The committee I do it with, we all agree, it doesn't matter who the letter comes from as long as they're in there.
We actually don't get that worked about letters anyways. I mean they all say the same thing. Who's going to turn in a letter that says, "I worked with this girl. She sucked. No skills. No personality." LOL..know what I mean.
We just like them more for verification that they get out in the world/ have worked a certain place.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Ahhh. @justdairy - it's actually an admin assistant in the HR department at the county DOE. What you've said makes sense. All right, I'll pursue some options and hopefully get letters together before the deadline. It will suck if NOT having letters makes me miss out on this job, but I'll kick butt to make it happen if I can.

[Deleted]

Jul 18, 2013 15:52:43 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Ahhh. @justdairy - it's actually an admin assistant in the HR department at the county DOE. What you've said makes sense. All right, I'll pursue some options and hopefully get letters together before the deadline. It will suck if NOT having letters makes me miss out on this job, but I'll kick butt to make it happen if I can.

Yeah. I wouldn't be too worried. Just round up whatever you can.
And honestly, where I work, we ask for things like 3 letters of rec. a transcript, a current resume, 5 references etc. just to see if people follow directions. If it's not in there, we toss them.

[sierramist03]

Jul 18, 2013 16:01:27 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

Jul 18, 2013 15:52:43 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Ahhh. @justdairy - it's actually an admin assistant in the HR department at the county DOE. What you've said makes sense. All right, I'll pursue some options and hopefully get letters together before the deadline. It will suck if NOT having letters makes me miss out on this job, but I'll kick butt to make it happen if I can.

Yeah. I wouldn't be too worried. Just round up whatever you can.
And honestly, where I work, we ask for things like 3 letters of rec. a transcript, a current resume, 5 references etc. just to see if people follow directions. If it's not in there, we toss them.

Yep I agree with dairy I bet it's a way to weed out candidates

[kaylie]

I like Dairy's advice. I'm blowing job dust your way!

[pumpkin]

Jul 18, 2013 15:40:22 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

HR peeps, do you really think a letter from an athletic organization I volunteer with would work? I mean, they'd be attesting to my ability to set up triathlons, use a kayak, and hand out water. I don't know how that could be related to an admin assistant position?

I'm not in HR, but I see this volunteer work exhibiting skills such as organization, planning, execution, teamwork/ability to interact and work with people, etc.

Good luck! ~sending good job thoughts your way~

[heygrey]

i write letters of recommendation all the time for my volunteers.

quite frankly, i think it sometimes says more about a person that they are committed and enthusiastic to something that has no external motivator (ie. a paycheque).

good luck and lots-o-job dust!

[wawa]

Jul 18, 2013 19:56:17 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Jul 18, 2013 15:40:22 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

HR peeps, do you really think a letter from an athletic organization I volunteer with would work? I mean, they'd be attesting to my ability to set up triathlons, use a kayak, and hand out water. I don't know how that could be related to an admin assistant position?

I'm not in HR, but I see this volunteer work exhibiting skills such as organization, planning, execution, teamwork/ability to interact and work with people, etc.

Good luck! ~sending good job thoughts your way~

Exactly!  Volunteer coordinators make great reference letter writers.  

Good luck!!