Bad reference letter - advice needed

[Lucienne]

There's always the option of saying at the interview if they do ask for it "I have one from my current manager, and I'll show it to you if you want, but I'm not comfortable with how it was formatted and I would like the opportunity to follow up with my manager first. Can I mail it over in a few days?"

I actually like this a lot. It doesn't sound like I talk bad about my employer, while still expressing where I stand. And if they want to see it anyway, they'll understand why I wasn't comfortable with it in the first place.
Thank you!

[Kerberoz]

I wouldn't put anything about it being intentionally bad, as it would make you sound like a conspiratard (unless new potential boss is a conspiratard, in which case it'd help). Just put a note saying "I'm much better at writing and formatting documents than my current esteemed supervisor, Mr. _____"

[Lucienne]

They should know that, my application was excellently formatted.

[Sera]

Aside from the shitty pronoun choice, is the CONTENT of the letter itself good? Because if so, I'd retype that shit, copy and paste the signature onto the retyped one and go on about my business.

[Lucienne]

Aside from the shitty pronoun choice, is the CONTENT of the letter itself good? Because if so, I'd retype that shit, copy and paste the signature onto the retyped one and go on about my business.

It says I'm loyal, flexible and responsible, that I follow instructions, but am capable of constructive criticism. That they'd recommend me to a similar position.

It's very short and basic, and I'm not sure about the criticism part. Rest is the pasted in section.

The pasted in section is pretty much useless info with job description such as welcome guests, make sure they get drinks fast, pretty much stuff you'd expect people do at a restaurant.

[MF Perm tha Fineass]

[Lucienne]

lol <3

[Sera]

The pasted in section is pretty much useless info with job description such as welcome guests, make sure they get drinks fast, pretty much stuff you'd expect people do at a restaurant.

Does it have a handwritten signature on it?

edit: if so, type it how you want it, scan the signature and honestly if you don't know how to fix it up, i'll do it for you.

what a fucking dope. people are such assholes.

[Lucienne]

Yep

[Lucienne]

Btw thanks everyone for the advice, it was really helpful.
And Perm for making me laugh!

[miokomioko]

I don't think it would ever be a bad thing to express your acknowledgment of poor-quality work to a prospective employer. It's pretty much an "I hold myself to much higher standards than this tripe." and I don't think many people get an opportunity to say that in an interview.

[Kazen]

Is there a way to fix the letter? How complicated is the letterhead? Is the scan of a really poor quality where you have differing values of white tones/color?

[Lucienne]

I could cut out the letterhead, adjust the angle so that it's straight, rewrite it with same font, cut out the signature and paste it in.
I don't think I should do that behind my bosses back though, and without his permission it's kind of disrespectful and I might get to regret it.

[Acturus]

Yeah, it's way too much work to fabricate a credible letter of recommendation, and honestly, why tempt fate with it? The letter could be found to have been altered, subsequently called a forgery, and you're then tossed out because of it. Is that likely? No. Is it possible? Yup.

Forgive me if I missed it, but was a letter of recommendation required for this job application? If so, then it's a talking point in the interview, but only if they bring it up (like I mentioned before). If the letter was not required, then there's no real need to spend so much time worrying about it.

BUT WAIT! Today is the interview, so all the best on it, and as soon as you can post again, post again with details (it's a slow day where I work today).

[Cail]

so howd the interview go? did u use the letter and if so, what did you say about it?

[Ddz]

Good luck at your interview! I always do reference checks by phone when I have someone in candidacy - I have never submitted letters of recommendation before.

[Lucienne]

It went fine, they asked for references so I asked them if it was all right I just gave them a list with people and numbers, and they were cool with that, so I didn't have to use the letter. It was slightly overwhelming actually. Basically there is this little incredibly fancy restaurant within a huge spa/conference complex that I'd be pretty much entirely in charge of. I'd also be in charge of the wine lists for all the restaurants, wine tastings and education of staff. While it's extremely exciting, I'm not entirely sure I want that much responsibility in my first sommelier position. I'll have to seriously consider it. I'm honestly shocked they'd actually want someone with so little restaurant experience at such a heavy post. They're going to interview three other people and let me know hopefully by the end of next week.

[Ddz]

It went fine, they asked for references so I asked them if it was all right I just gave them a list with people and numbers, and they were cool with that, so I didn't have to use the letter. It was slightly overwhelming actually. Basically there is this little incredibly fancy restaurant within a huge spa/conference complex that I'd be pretty much entirely in charge of. I'd also be in charge of the wine lists for all the restaurants, wine tastings and education of staff. While it's extremely exciting, I'm not entirely sure I want that much responsibility in my first sommelier position. I'll have to seriously consider it. I'm honestly shocked they'd actually want someone with so little restaurant experience at such a heavy post. They're going to interview three other people and let me know hopefully by the end of next week.

My, I'd say go for it. That sounds fantastic. I bet you could gain some incredible experience there and make a nice advancement for yourself in your career. What are you thinking would be too much? How was the culture fit of the place for you?

[Lucienne]

I honestly loved pretty much everything about the place. I'd even have access to the entire spa, the pools and the gym six days a week. I'm not putting much hope into it, going to send a thanks for the interview and the tour e-mail anyway though.

[MF Perm tha Fineass]

When are you two going to start making out I only have an hour for lunch