ISB PGP Letter of Recommendation

1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant. (Word limit 500)
2. How does the applicant’s performance compare to other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?
3. Please provide specific examples (e.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Word limit 500)
4. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Word limit 500)
5. Is there anything else we should know? (Word limit 500)

ISB Recommendation Example – 1

Question 1: Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant.

I have known Priya (Name Changed) for 2.5 years since she joined our firm as a Junior Research Analyst. I am the Director of the Global Financial Institutions Centre, which includes the Corporate and Investment Banking team. Over time, I have observed her growth and had direct insight into her performance, particularly as she was promoted to the position of Research Analyst.

Question 2: How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?

Priya (Name Changed) has consistently delivered high-impact results in various settings, a performance level that warranted her promotion. One of her core strengths is her analytical rigor and problem-solving capabilities. For instance, she contributed significantly to an external publication on capital markets, involving complex modeling and data-driven insights. Her work played a pivotal role in framing frameworks that were instrumental in discussions with regulators across Asian economies. Due to her exemplary work, she was invited to participate in the project onsite in Hong Kong.

Additionally, Priya has demonstrated a willingness to take on extra responsibilities. She has led business-unit-wide training initiatives, such as the GFIC Academy, and helped streamline processes by creating an onboarding toolkit for her team. Her proactive attitude and mentoring skills have earned her a reputation as an excellent coach among her peers.

Overall, Priya is recognized not only for her technical capabilities but also for her approachability, positive energy, and leadership. Her collaborative spirit sets her apart in the organization.

Question 3: Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant.

Initially, Priya (Name Changed) tended to take on more responsibilities than she could effectively handle. For example, during the creation of an onboarding toolkit, she struggled to push content experts for timely contributions, leading to delays. We advised her to delegate more effectively and assert herself when necessary. She took this feedback positively and has since improved in managing expectations and ensuring timely contributions from others. The toolkit she completed is now widely used to train new team members.

Question 4: Is there anything else we should know?

In a short time, Priya has built her credibility within our global team. Senior colleagues vouch for her reliability and work ethic. She was awarded the ‘McKinsey Research Leadership Award’ in recognition of her contributions. I strongly believe that with the right guidance from ISB, she can become a highly successful consultant, and I am happy to recommend her for the PGP program.

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ISB Recommendation Example – 2

Question 1: Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant.

I have known Ananya (Name Changed) for the past four years. She joined Deloitte Consulting as a fresh graduate, and I first met her during the onboarding Bootcamp, where I served as a trainer. Following Bootcamp, we worked together on several projects, with me serving as her project lead on the Omnicare and Cardinal Health projects, and most recently, on the CDM Smith project.

Question 2: How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?

Since her promotion to consultant, Ananya (Name Changed) has primarily been in client-facing roles. One of her key strengths is her ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. On the CDM Smith project, she effectively coordinated between teams spread across different time zones and skillfully handled conflicts between the client and various internal stakeholders. Her ability to keep everyone aligned resulted in the project being delivered ahead of schedule, demonstrating her potential for future leadership roles.

Beyond her project work, Ananya is also involved in Deloitte’s CSR activities. She has been leading the education-focused team in partnership with Literacy India, overseeing a group of 20 volunteers. Her dedication to these causes speaks to her self-motivation and leadership, traits that also make her stand out in her professional work.

Question 3: Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant.

While Ananya (Name Changed) is an enthusiastic team member, early in her career, she sometimes overcommitted. For example, during the Omnicare project, she requested to take responsibility for a critical task that I initially felt was beyond her scope given her workload. Despite her enthusiasm, the task became a bottleneck and caused delays. After we discussed the situation, she took the feedback well and has since improved her ability to assess her workload and manage responsibilities more effectively.

During our time working together, she consistently incorporated feedback and demonstrated significant professional growth. I was proud to recommend her for a fast-track promotion to consultant.

Question 4: Is there anything else we should know?

Ananya has earned a reputation as an excellent mentor and trainer early in her career. Based on her performance and feedback from both peers and supervisors, she was selected to be part of Deloitte’s official Bootcamp training team, a role typically reserved for more experienced consultants. This recognition is a testament to her dedication and capability, and I believe she will excel with further training at ISB.