When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

[boffintech]

At the end of a project is it permissible to ask for a letter of commendation from the contractor or client? And how about that phraseology? How would that request go? I mean I can't very well go in there and say something like, hey I've been busting my butt for a year on this thing how about sending my boss a little something something with some praise of abilities and recognition of accomplishments...etc etc.

I don't want to come across as too forward or too presumptuous by asking for this letter but sometimes I would like to say, hey, throw a dog a bone would ya?! You're killing me here!

 

[JStephen]

It would seem very odd to me to ask for such a letter for you personally, to your boss. Perhaps more common with a company and a client, looking for sales stuff.

 

[GregLamberson]

boffintech

Pretty common in our industry, especially for discipline task type positions. At the end of a project or if someone has completed their contract, I'm often asked for a letter of recommendation. If it someone whom I would actually reccommend I do so gladly. If not, then I just tell them sorry, can't do that.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[oldfieldguy]

boff--

So the project's over, the big thingie you installed/built/designed/fixed is making the appropriate noises and you're sitting in the project manager's office chatting.

PM: I sure am glad to see this one's over. It was touch and go for a while, but you really helped us out.

You: Yeah, it was kind of iffy, but this ain't my first rodeo. We got it all going.

PM: Well, I appreciate your effort, man...

You: Glad I could help. How about putting something official in writing that I can show my boss...

I have found this scenario to work quite well...

old field guy

 

[Twoballcane]

The only way to stand out from the rest is with "great job" letters. I ask for them all the time if I know I did some great work. If I felt I could have done more, I would not ask. Always ask in person, I find email too inpersonal for a request like this. I had instances were I would write up the letter (with all the facts) and then send it to the task lead and if s/he agrees to it, s/he will sign it and send it off to my manager.

It never hurst to ask if you know you did a job well done.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."