Overheard at Starbucks today....

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

And this is a time when people ask, "What's the point of recs?"

Why do businesses require references for prospective employees?

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Why do businesses require references for prospective employees?

We no longer do. Nobody will submit a name of a person who will give them a bad job reference. I regularly call "off the record" contacts who might know the applicant to get a true reference.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Why do businesses require references for prospective employees?

Exactly.

Business references can make sense. Written recommendations can make sense. But those come from previous employers, teachers, coaches, pastors, etc. When applying to schools or applying for jobs, the references/recommendations don't have to come from a person from the particular school or company to which the applicant is applying. They come from people who actually KNOW the applicant.

I can understand having recs, but why have a sorority alumna who met the PNM for 30 minutes, or who has never met the PNM at all, write a rec? Why not have it be someone who has spent countless hours with the PNM and can actually vouch for them?

ETA: I would LOVE for someone to do a long-term, extensive study about the correlation between PNMs who receive recs, and the extent to which they contribute to the sorority (do they stay or drop, do they run for or hold positions, GPA, risk management issues, involvement as an alumna, etc.) vs. those PNMs who don't receive recs.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Why do businesses require references for prospective employees?

Well, those are kind of nonsensical too.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, those are kind of nonsensical too.

Not really. The list can be informational by its omissions.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Not really. The list can be informational by its omissions.

But unless you know the business owner/manager personally, you need a reference for the person giving the reference. One of my friends recntly had her job put into jeopardy because her supervisor wanted her to do some shady things and she refused. I'm sure he wouldn't give her a good reference, but this is the definition of "consider the source."

And you know what? That applies to sorority recs too. I'm sure a rec from ABC at Teeny Northern U doesn't impress ABC at SEC U. And honestly, why should it?

As I said, somewhere along the way this system got corrupted from "here's a letter of introduction" to " this form is supposed to be a golden ticket and if it's not, I'll shout far and wide how awful this chapter/group is."

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But unless you know the business owner/manager personally, you need a reference for the person giving the reference. One of my friends recntly had her job put into jeopardy because her supervisor wanted her to do some shady things and she refused. I'm sure he wouldn't give her a good reference, but this is the definition of "consider the source."

And you know what? That applies to sorority recs too. I'm sure a rec from ABC at Teeny Northern U doesn't impress ABC at SEC U. And honestly, why should it?

As I said, somewhere along the way this system got corrupted from "here's a letter of introduction" to " this form is supposed to be a golden ticket and if it's not, I'll shout far and wide how awful this chapter/group is."

You are so jaded....

[OPhiAGinger]

Maybe the real purpose of recs has nothing to do with recruitment at all. It could just be a way to keep alumnae engaged. "Look, Ally Alumna! Your opinion still matters! If you know a great potential member, let us know!" Engaged alumnae = supportive alumnae in many other ways.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Titchou

You are so jaded....

Originally Posted by OPhiAGinger

Maybe the real purpose of recs has nothing to do with recruitment at all. It could just be a way to keep alumnae engaged. "Look, Ally Alumna! Your opinion still matters! If you know a great potential member, let us know!" Engaged alumnae = supportive alumnae in many other ways.

LMAO, this is way more jaded than anything I thought of.

As with many other things in this country, references of any sort (or lack of same) are something that started out positive and got warped along the way into a tool for keeping people in line or putting them into a designated niche as quickly as possible.