I read somewhere that ~1 in 10 applicants is deliberatly sabotaged by a recommender, particuarlly common when a "good friend" writes the recommendation. Choosing the recommender is an art in itself. I thought about asking an immediate supervisor who is a friend. I eventually decided against the idea, because I'm pretty sure that at best he'll write a pretty mediocre letter with faint praise, which would be just as deadly as a negative one. He is a friend when I am a submissive, happy-go-lucky, subordinate. We are still friends, but I wouldn't rest my future professional career on him! |