Has anyone been in a situation before where there recommender didn’t submit on time? Is JET lenient? I’m afraid one of my recommenders won’t submit on time because she hasn’t been responsive in email reminders.
What would you recommend I do?
UPDATE: ** I emailed my PI from my research position and he said he would write me one! 🙂
7 comments
I’m in this position right now. One of my referees submitted but the other hasn’t. I deliberately didn’t tell him that the deadline was moved by a week until yesterday, because I didn’t want to drop the pressure, but he still hasn’t replied despite telling me over a month ago that he would do it. I don’t have anyone else I can ask from my previous employer, so I’m a bit stuck.
I would definitely see if you could find another reference last minute. Offer to write them a list of bullet points of your qualities/accomplishments, or even offer to write a letter for them and have them sign off on it—it happens often. But if you can’t get a solid answer out of your current reference, now is the best time to change. JET is not lenient, if your references are not in, your application is incomplete and therefore disregarded for this year.
You never know. Your reference might pull through. Definitely follow up with them. I know they haven’t been very responsive. But, try anyways. Be kind. Don’t be an ass. But be persistent. In the meantime, scramble for a backup. I’m going through something similar. My reference just got to me last night. I had misunderstood one of my references’ emails. My reference then told me that she “might” get it done by tomorrow. “Might” kinda has me worried. But all I can do is keep my fingers crossed. In the end, I’m sure we’ll all be fine.
I had this issue! I messaged my referees months in advance, one got it back to me promptly but the other one didn’t. I emailed again and they said they were going to… weeks went by. I emailed again and it turns out they just went on holiday!? So I HASSLED (politely) the office staff to express post me a new one and it came down to the fkn wire but I received it then put it straight in the mail with my whole application and express posted it to the Embassy in Canberra! You gotta hustle! I’m glad you’ve got a backup 🙂 Good luck with your app!
Forge the letter
I made the mistake of being all softly softly with one of mine, but in the end when I said I really really need this NOW they turned it around.
I’ve written some references myself. It’s part of many people’s jobs, and it doesn’t take very long. Nag them!
Hi! This might be a different question but related to the reference/recommendation letters. Should they submit their letters to me first then I include it along with other documents? Or should they submit their letters to JET/embassy directly? Thank you!