Argghh!!

nicoleb · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 01:20 PM

Trying to get people to turn in their reference letters is like pulling teeth I am telling you. Two people in our agency turned their dossier and a week later had a referral! I want in on this timing so I have asked people to give me their letters ASAP. I even set up the notary for them.
I keep getting "It is summer and I am SOOO busy". Come on, we all are busy. But really, I am asking them for an hour. This is what I want to say.

"Dear Friend(s),
I am so glad you were honored when I asked you to write me a reference letter. I know that you will do a good job. But to tell me how busy you are and can't get to it right now is a slap in the face to me. This is holding me up to getting MY baby. I supported you through your pregnancies even though my heart hurt everytime I saw you. I came to your baby shower even though I didn't think I was up to it because of my last pregnancy loss. I am just asking for an hour of your time to make my dream come true. One that I have hoped for for so long. One that you already have. So please. Help me out here."

Ahhh..feels good to have that out.
Well, of to recheck some more paperwork.

Nicole

amberl10 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 02:41 PM

Maybe you should actually say this to them. They don't have a clue what it's like if they haven't been through it. You would think they could do this for you. I would be upset too if I were you.

JBB373 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 05:55 PM

I sent people/friends an outline and a sample letter as I found out "busy" actually meant they wanted so bad to do a good job and ensure my baby that they had developed a severe case of writers block. It was amazing how fast I got the letters back after I did that!! Most people told me that once they got going it went so very fast it wasn't as bad as they thought.

GL

mildlydelirious · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 07:26 PM

with Jenn. It is a wonderful idea to send them a "sample" letter. It might make all the difference in the world!

Good luck. I know waiting

is frustrating!

~m

bdunkadunk · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 07:31 PM

I do not understand that! Your references should stop whatever it is they are doing because there is no way it is more important than this! Nag if you have to and explain later.

Good luck Nicole!

nicoleb · #6 (**permalink**) 06-21-2007, 07:33 AM

Thanks ladies for your replies.
I didn't write the letter out for them, but I did send along what each paragraph should consist of. I guess at 35 or so I don't think I should have to put words in their mouth. 2 of our friends put theirs in the mail yesterday, so that is great news. I ended up asking another friend to do one incase my the one doesn't get hers done.

I would agree that writers block could be an issue. I would call my one friend who is stalling now but I don't want to interupt her "insanly busy schedule" (as she puts it).

Sigh.........I am just so close i can see the end......

Nicole

JBB373 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-2007, 07:45 AM

Oh yeah you just reminded me - I asked for more reference letters than needed . . . Of course for me as an auditor I'm used to requesting information and only getting a certain % of that back - the way I figured it more wasn't going hurt but less could definitely hurt.

Maybe also giving them a drop dead deadline i.e I need the letter back to the agency by June 30th (they don't need to know its not an official agency deadline) and doing status checks might help as well. You know the squeaky wheel gets oiled theory.

How many letters do you need for your agency. Sounds like the end is very near indeed!

KimAnne · #8 (**permalink**) 06-21-2007, 03:36 PM

I had one reference letter that was really lagging behind. I ended up jokingly telling them that the FBI clearance would come back before they had finished. They then stepped up to the plate realizing they would holding us up some.

Good Luck! Sometimes we all just need a little prodding and them realizing it is important to you should move them along.