Re: Letters of Reccomendation -Reply

["Dave Healy" <healy001@maroon.tc.umn.edu>]

There seems to be considerable interest in the topic of recommendation letters. 
For those who are struggling with just what to say in such a document, I thought
it might be helpful to see an actual example.  Accordingly, I am attaching a 
letter of recommendation that I wrote recently for Carl Glover.  Unfortunately, 
Rev. Glover was not selected for the position, but I'm confident that the 
decision had nothing at all to do with my letter.


Dear search committee:

Rev. Carl Glover has asked me to write a letter in support of his candidacy for 
the Assistant Vice Deputy Provost for Administration Proliferation at your 
institution.  I have known Rev. Glover for some time now, and I am confident 
that his application for this position will be one of many that you receive.

Rev. Glover's administrative skills are well known by those who have worked with
and for him.  When he has something to say, he says it.  When the phone rings, 
he answers it.  When he closes his office door, it says closed until he opens 
it.  Rev. Glover puts his pants on one leg at a time.  He reports for work fully
clothed.  He renders to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.  

Rev. Glover's scholarly efforts have been widely recognized in the academic 
community.  His manuscripts have been received by a wide range of journals and 
book publishers.  When he attends conferences, workshops, and seminars, he 
always registers under his own name.

Prospective employers are interested, not only in a candidate's professional 
qualifications, but also about how s/he will "fit in."  In this regard, I can 
report that Rev. Glover always parks in his own parking place.  He eats his own 
bag lunch in the staff lounge and takes the mail from his own box in the mail 
room.

If one works someplace long enough, stories will inevitably begin circulating, 
and Rev. Glover is no exception.  When assessing those reports, I would simply 
urge you to consider the source.

I urge you to read Rev. Glover's application for this position and to include 
his file with the others you receive.  If I can provide any additional 
information, please do not hesitate to have your people get in touch with my 
people.

Sincerely,

Dr. David J. Healy