Every so often I am asked if an applicant can submit a letter of recommendation from a family member -- even a mother, father, or grandparent. The answer is no. Almost everyone can obtain glowing recommendations from relatives. They entirely lack credibility.
You might enjoy, however, this imaginative and hypothetical example of what a family member might write if given the opportunity:
Dear Bill,
My son, John Abraham*, is graduating this summer with a degree in Information and Computer Science. Since he is my son, he walks on water while juggling 10 knives at a time. What a talent! In between publishing essays (his favorite topics are nuclear physics, and ancient Greek literature), he also manages three companies, while trying to start a fourth. Naturally, none of these hobbies are an obstacle to him working at Acme. Acme should be so lucky to have him (after all, he is my son).
Enclosed is his resume (which he did by himself, no help! *wink*), which cannot begin to adequately describe the superfluous levels of talent that bulge out of his overpowering intellect. Again, since he is my son, he will be fully capable of adjusting to any job given to him. He is a functioning problem-solvaholic, meaning that he is addicted to solving problems. He is like the pied piper, hypnotizing problems to follow him away from Acme and deep into the night. While the analogy may imply that problems follow him, that is not the case. They follow him to be eaten up and consumed by him, not because he creates them. As my son, I expect nothing less!
In addition to his prodigal intellect and his gymnastic talents, he is a three-sport star. John stars for the New Delhi Swamis in the Indian Elephantine Polo League. Last year he led the Swamis with 12 goals in only 8 games. He also is a star punter for the Ottawa Obscurities of the Canadian Football League, and he is an exceptional javelin thrower for the New Zealand Olympiad team. These athletic skills will come in quite useful!! After all, he is my son, and thus a good guy to have around when schlepping stuff. Trust me, I know! After all, he's my son. And I am so proud of him!
This piece started out as a 3-line, business-like, bland email from me asking a professional colleague if my son, who is graduating from college, could submit a resume for an entry level position at the colleague's firm. However, shortly after starting the email I had to go out, and I left with the just-started email open on the computer screen. My son came home soon after and "finished" it. This is what I found when I came home. While I saved his version, because it's a lot funnier and more creative than mine, I did NOT send his draft to the potential employer.
I guess I am proud of him -- even if he is a magnet for problems. :-) Regardless, don't have relatives write your letters of rec!
*Not his real name.
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