Hiring Quote by Ethan Mollick
““The fact that it is time consuming is somewhat the point. That a professor takes the time to write a good letter is a sign that they support the student's application. We are setting our time on fire to signal to others that this letter is worth reading.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Talk at Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2023
The effort a professor puts into a recommendation signals genuine endorsement and adds value to the application.
In simple terms: Time spent shows support and worthiness.
Key Takeaway
Value effort as endorsement.
Themes
education
recommendations
authenticity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- applying for graduate school
- seeking scholarships
- job references
Key Concepts
signaling
social proof
academic support
Questions to Reflect On
- How does effort affect perceived credibility?
- When is a brief endorsement sufficient?
A Different Perspective
Letters may be biased or overly flattering, reducing credibility.
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