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When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

(OP)
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!




RE: When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

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.

RE: When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

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: www.oil-gas-consulting.com

RE: When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

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

RE: When is it OK to ask for a commendation letter?

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."

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