LOR from an employer

[frabu04]

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I have a question about LOR from an employer. I have worked two years for a store selling cell phone parts. It's nowhere close to pharmacy, but at least I have retail sales experience. My employer can write me a great letter that can speak to my work ethic and ability to communicate, but I feel that since it's not pharmacy-related at all, it might not help me.

I guess what I am asking is whether or not the LOR from an employer has to be from a health-care related field. Thanks.

 

[Skawty]

The employer writing the LOR does not have to be associated with the field of healthcare. I had a former bookstore manager write one for me.

 

[bmkleinb]

I would say most certainly not. A LOR can come from non-pharmacy/school related area's and still hold major impact. I personally had three LOR: one from my boss's boss where I worked for three years(non-pharmacy related job), one from my professor who I did research under(also the dean of the college of chem) and lastly from the post-doc that was part of the research group. None of these LORs are directly related to pharmacy; however, these people all knew me quite well and could personalize their LOR's. I would say that is the most important aspect of your LORs.

 

[Pojman]

Most schools (at least the ones that I have researched) require 3 LOR's. My strategy is to go for a well rounded LOR submission. I plan on getting one LOR from an academic professor, one LOR from a pharmacist, and one LOR from my work which is also unrelated to pharmacy. I think that the most important thing would be to present yourself as a well-rounded individual, and your LOR's give you an opportunity to do that.

I would certainly use your employer as a reference, but I would also strive to include something that is a little closer to pharmacy as well.

 

[xtsukiyox]

I also agree that an LoR from an employer does not have to be from a healthcare related employer.

Many schools will tell you what sort of LoRs they are looking for on their website. They certainly tell you how many. 🙂

 

[frabu04]

Thanks everybody. You're all really helpful. 🙂