When Asking for a LOR = Bad News for the Recommender

[pea-jay]

Here's an odd situation I find myself in. My best reference is the director of my department where I work (municipal planning office). Over the past 10 months he has been my boss, I have gained enormous amount of managerial experience (Zero before, 7 years non managerial work tho) to the point where I am now the third highest ranking planner in the dept. My boss sees me as managerial material and actually agrees with the idea that a masters gained at this point in my career would be advantageous. So far so good.

What he isnt expecting is that I will depart the state altogether. (he's probably counting on part time masters classwork down the road from us). Which poses a huge problem for him. My role is very important in the dept and with our agency under a hiring freeze, my vacancy will prove difficult to fill. I cant imagine this being good news to him.

Yet he is an excellent LOR possibility. I would have to imagine giving notice about a potential departure next august during late october might go over better than the standard 2 weeks but these arent normal times either.

Any thoughts on sugar coating this?

Anyone else has a good LOR possibility that at the same time would hate to see you leave?

[ana3a]

By asking him a LOR you effectively give him a year's notice. This is a luxurious amt of time for him to line up a follower.

I would discuss your plans frankly and calmly with him. Offer to tender your resignation in April as soon as you've decided which school you'll attend. This leaves both of you still several months to work out the hand-over.

If he is reasonable, he will fully support your move and write you a great letter.

[socialcomm]

It sounds as though you have a good relationship with your boss and he's a reasonable person? It's business (who says he won't need to lay you off over the next year for an unknown reason) and your life (are you willing to put your life and future career on hold for a job?). As PP said, you're giving him plenty of heads up -- hopefully he'll be supportive of your future endevours and will write a glowing letter.

[acup313]

Hopefully your boss will be understanding. You seem to be higher up in the company and closer to your boss than I am, but I considered asking one of my supervisors to write a LOR. However after talking to other people in the company it became obvious that if I did that not only would he probably not want to do it, but I would also probably be laid off in the near future. It is easier for the company to let someone go who they know are leaving as opposed to someone who will probably stay. Hopefully your situation is different than mine and your boss will be supportive of the situation, but I just wanted to bring some insight from the glass half empty side. Sorry if I ruined your day.