How can I get a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from my company?
Yes, you can get a strong LOR from your manager by asking 6 to 8 weeks before your deadline, sharing your resume, SOP draft and 3 to 5 specific achievements, and requesting concrete examples rather than generic praise, then confirming exactly how your university wants the letter submitted.
Yes, you can absolutely use a company LOR for your application, and getting a strong one just takes some preparation on your side. Ask someone who directly supervised your work, ideally your manager or team lead, rather than a senior executive who barely knows your day to day contributions.
Steps to Request a Strong Company LOR
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Pick the right person | Choose a manager or team lead who knows your work directly |
| 2. Ask early | Request 6 to 8 weeks before your earliest application deadline |
| 3. Share your LOR package | Send your resume, SOP draft, target programs and deadlines |
| 4. Highlight specifics | Give 3 to 5 projects or achievements with real results and numbers |
| 5. Confirm submission method | Check if the university needs an online portal upload or a signed PDF |
What Makes a Company LOR Strong
- Specific evidence: a good LOR describes an actual project and result, for example reducing processing time by 20 percent, rather than calling you hardworking.
- Your role and dates: include your exact job title and employment dates so the letter reads as credible and precise.
- Confidential submission: follow the university's process exactly, since many require the recommender to submit directly through an online portal.
- Balance with academic LORs: for MS or PhD applications, do not replace all your academic recommenders with company LORs, since many programs weigh research or academic references heavily.
My Advice
Make it easy for your manager to say yes by doing most of the work yourself: give them a short list of 3 to 5 specific contributions and results, so they only need to expand on real examples rather than write from scratch. If your manager seems hesitant, treat that as useful information; it usually means they cannot give you as strong a letter as someone else on your team could.
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