Evaluating the Role of CEOs as Recommenders: Are They Considered Work Colleagues?

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When you’re asking for recommendation letters, do CEOs really count as your work colleagues?

For example, imagine you’re a Software Engineer, and the CEO of your company writes you a recommendation letter. But you don’t report to them directly. Maybe they know your work through big company projects or presentations, but they are not part of your engineering team day-to-day. So, is it really okay to use their letter?

Another tricky situation is when recommenders, such as a CEO, Engineering Manager, or supervisor, have already left the company by the time you submit your application. If both you and the recommender have moved on, does their recommendation still carry the same weight? Are they still seen as your professional colleagues?

Here are some questions I am curious about:

  • Can a CEO be considered a valid work colleague for recommendations if you did not report to them directly?
  • If recommenders like CEOs or managers no longer work at the company, does that affect how strong their recommendation is?
  • When would a CEO’s recommendation be seen as strong or weak?
  • What about people outside your company who you have not worked with directly? How can they genuinely speak about your skills and work?
  • What makes their recommendation valid?
  • How might they have gotten to know your work? Maybe through collaborations, open-source projects, industry events, mentoring, or something else?
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I had a similar question when I was applying. From my research, the best solution is for the person writing the letter to meet both criteria: holding a senior executive position and having a strong understanding of your work and its impact. If the CEO isn’t familiar with your contributions, I would consider going one step down in the organisation’s hierarchy to find someone who has a deeper knowledge of your work and its outcomes.

1 Like
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  1. Yes recommendation letter from your CEO is fine, I guess what is also important is their profile. Will they be considered experts, a CEO with less than 5 years in the field may not be eligible.

  2. If they are no longer in the company it is not a problem, the question is, do they know your work and achievements in the last 5 years?

  3. I hope 1 and 2 answers this

  4. People outside your work may have collaborated with you and Also know your wider industry contribution. You last comment responses to the question. Don’t forget that global talent is for recognised leaders and emerging leaders, if you are one then it means your work has local and international acclaim.

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4

Thank you @Francisca_Chiedu for this great response.

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  1. No
  2. No. Add proof of their past attachment to the company - eg news articles
  3. They should refer to - your achievments, your innovations, and why you’re recognised in the industry
  4. Yes, they don’t need to have directly worked with you
  5. That’s defined in the guidelines
  6. Yup. Any of the things you’ve mentioned.
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Thank you @Akash_Joshi.