Kind of hesitant to list a contact from work

[uphillBattle]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I shouldered some immense responsibility at my workplace and I know the perfect person to put down as a reference for it (senior level, veryy friendly, etc.)

BUT I still work there and I'm very hesitant about putting her down.

I could list a person who worked on the project with me though or some other manager level person who doesn't know what I did as much but is also very friendly and knows me well.

Any thoughts on what I should do?

 

[trs88]

Why are you hesitant to put her information down?

 

[uphillBattle]

I was thinking of adding something to the description like:

(Because of the sensitive nature of my work, I haven't listed a contact. Please reach out to me and I will find the appropriate person and supporting proof)

or something like that.

 

[Ismet]

Not sure why you're so hesitant to list the nice person who knows you well, but...

1. The chances of a school calling to verify something are extremely slim. It's not something to really worry about.

2. The purpose of the contact person is someone who can verify that you did what you say you did in the very rare chance that a school does call/email. If the other people you are considering can do that, then list one of them.

 

[Ismet]

I was thinking of adding something to the description like:

(Because of the sensitive nature of my work, I haven't listed a contact. Please reach out to me and I will find the appropriate person and supporting proof)

or something like that.

You can always list yourself as the contact person and, if you want, have a one line saying "Due to the sensitive nature of my work, I have listed myself as the contact" You don't need to waste character space telling the schools to call you to find the appropriate person. Most likely they won't even care to verify.

 

[uphillBattle]

Why are you hesitant to put her information down?

The fact that I work in business and telling my employer, who is a major player in the industry I work in, that I'm thinking about going to medical school would not be a wise decision.


I have to be somewhat realistic.

 

[uphillBattle]

Not sure why you're so hesitant to list the nice person who knows you well, but...

1. The chances of a school calling to verify something are extremely slim. It's not something to really worry about.

2. The purpose of the contact person is someone who can verify that you did what you say you did in the very rare chance that a school does call/email. If the other people you are considering can do that, then list one of them.

Thanks for the input. I could easily get a stellar rec from my employer but that would be a career limiting move where I work and I have to be somewhat realistic.

All my LoRs are more clinical and I haven't told anyone at work except one person who I know very well (same level). I might just put her down.

You can always list yourself as the contact person and, if you want, have a one line saying "Due to the sensitive nature of my work, I have listed myself as the contact" You don't need to waste character space telling the schools to call you to find the appropriate person. Most likely they won't even care to verify.

I see. I might list the person I know very well and then add a one-liner in the description. I made this a most meaningful experience though so character space in the description isn't too much of a problem.

Out of curiosity, the work that I do is very client heavy and describing that plus the industry I work in in the description might not tell people reading my activities exactly what is going on. I have lines saying something like: I work with clients and udnerstand ____ and then do _____. I don't go into the minutiae.

I guess if they want to know they can always quiz me during the interview. I did describe the type of industry I work in heavily

 

[trs88]

But you're just filing out a few boxes on a form with basic contact information that I bet could be found on the company's website. You don't even have to tell her what you are doing if you are that afraid of loosing your job. While on that thought, if she is so nice; why would she fire you for a future career change that wont happen until next year - into a completely different field?

Then going backwards to your suggestion "Because of the sensitive nature of my work, I haven't listed a contact. Please reach out to me and I will find the appropriate person and supporting proof)". I have helped by boss sort and organize applications for our intern positions. If I saw that, it would be red flag for me since I have to do more work to contact you for something I feel should be listed - and will probably tell the boss I put you at the bottom of the pile due to it. The adcoms may disagree so please listen to what they suggest.

 

[cheerful85]

All my LoRs are more clinical and I haven't told anyone at work except one person who I know very well (same level). I might just put her down.

Just put down that person. The verification contact doesn't need to be a supervisor -- just someone who could attest that the experience is not fabricated. The verification contact is not intended to be a reference -- references are what the letters of recommendation are for. 🙂

 

[uphillBattle]

But you're just filing out a few boxes on a form with basic contact information that I bet could be found on the company's website. You don't even have to tell her what you are doing if you are that afraid of loosing your job. While on that thought, if she is so nice; why would she fire you for a future career change that wont happen until next year - into a completely different field?

Then going backwards to your suggestion "Because of the sensitive nature of my work, I haven't listed a contact. Please reach out to me and I will find the appropriate person and supporting proof)". I have helped by boss sort and organize applications for our intern positions. If I saw that, it would be red flag for me since I have to do more work to contact you for something I feel should be listed - and will probably tell the boss I put you at the bottom of the pile due to it. The adcoms may disagree so please listen to what they suggest.

I see. Thanks for the input. She wouldn't fire me but the way it pan out would probably be missed client deals, etc. and a sort of general suspicion/distrust about my reliability.

In the chance that I don't get in anywhere this round, it would be important to have a fall back to pay the bills so I can strengthen my app i.e. smp, etc.

Just put down that person. The verification contact doesn't need to be a supervisor -- just someone who could attest that the experience is not fabricated. The verification contact is not intended to be a reference -- references are what the letters of recommendation are for. 🙂

got it. Yea I'm very close to this other person and she is going to grad school in the fall as well so she should be open to verifying.

 

[uphillBattle]

But you're just filing out a few boxes on a form with basic contact information that I bet could be found on the company's website. You don't even have to tell her what you are doing if you are that afraid of loosing your job. While on that thought, if she is so nice; why would she fire you for a future career change that wont happen until next year - into a completely different field?

Then going backwards to your suggestion "Because of the sensitive nature of my work, I haven't listed a contact. Please reach out to me and I will find the appropriate person and supporting proof)". I have helped by boss sort and organize applications for our intern positions. If I saw that, it would be red flag for me since I have to do more work to contact you for something I feel should be listed - and will probably tell the boss I put you at the bottom of the pile due to it. The adcoms may disagree so please listen to what they suggest.

I guess I'll put down someone who works there along with me like I mentioned to another poster. I won't write what I said I would since you bring up a valid point.