Reference hyper-inflation ?

by John Q on March 18, 2004

The phenomenon of recommendation letters for students being written by the student was discussed a few months back, but, as recommendation letters aren’t a big deal here in Australia, I didn’t pay much attention. Today, however, I met a new version of this. I got an email from someone in the US, previously unknown to me, attaching a CV and a draft recommendation letter, and asking me to sign it. I declined without reading the CV, and without formulating a precise reason. Has anyone else encountered this?

{ 4 comments }

1

harry 03.18.04 at 8:52 pm

I’m not important enough for it to happen to me. Quite a tribute, John.

2

Alex Halavais 03.18.04 at 10:26 pm

What, a fiver wasn’t included? What gall! Obviously oblivious to the etiquette of semi-anonymous recommendations.

3

bryan 03.18.04 at 11:17 pm

I was hoping to get a recommend for my fine trolling. does this post indicate that I will be out of luck?

4

Andrew Edwards 03.19.04 at 12:55 am

I’ve had it happen to me professionally from the other side.

Quite a number of professional contacts who I’ve asked of references have come back with something like – “oh, you just write it up for me”. I’m dismayed mostly because I have a lot of trouble ‘tooting my own horn’. Honestly, it might well come out as a more conservative letter for the fact that I’m writing it.

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