My asda magic interview dilemma !! how would you approach this circumstance !

BrownGirl

I'm a bit confused - you say you're worried your current employer will say

DAREDEVIL78 wrote: »

'' well yes hes a good employee but by the way we didnt realise he was leaving ''

but you then say

DAREDEVIL78 wrote: »

i have made my current employer aware i am looking elsewhere

If you haven't already told your current employer that you have put them down as a referee do that now, then they won't be surprised to receive a reference request and you won't need to worry about them making this sort of comment on any reference they provide. If you have already told them then I don't see why you are worrying that they will say this.

Its pretty standard for companies to ask for 2 refs and they would need to get these before giving you a firm offer as it would be of little use to them to follow up references if they have already taken you on. In which case you will have the same worries about any job you go for in future.

You don't usually need an amazing reference - just for it not to highlight any areas of concern (such as lots of sickness, disciplinaries etc) and even then if they want you this wouldn't necessarily stop you getting the job, it might just be looked at carefully during the probation period.

You seem to be talking yourself out of going for the interview - but if you really want this job then I think you'd be crazy not to go for it. Give it your best shot and good luck!

clb776

as far as i am aware asda do not ask for references. however, after you pass the asda magic, you will then be invited to interview with your potential line manager, you could always say your worries during that time. some will appreciate the honesty.

Torry_Quine

clb776 wrote: »

as far as i am aware asda do not ask for references. however, after you pass the asda magic, you will then be invited to interview with your potential line manager, you could always say your worries during that time. some will appreciate the honesty.

That would be very surprising. I've never heard of a prospective employer not wanting references.

clb776

i worked for them a few months ago and my referees (is this right!?!!?) were never approached. Nor was those of a few others i started with! Although it was only a temp xmas job and i did not wish to be kept on permanently when it was offered, so perhaps that is why?

smileylondongal

Torry_Quine wrote: »

That would be very surprising. I've never heard of a prospective employer not wanting references.

I'm surprised about this too even for a temp job as this is standard recruitment practice.

I'm a bit confused by some of the advice on here. It's perfectly acceptable to not tell a current employer you're looking elsewhere and just as acceptable not to ask them to be a referee as it's fairly obvious that if you work somewhere currently, a reference will be required. Unless you have an exceptional relationship with your employer, I'd be a little careful about telling them you want to move on especially in a market in which it takes a long time to find a new role!

Also, I've never known anyone to be offered, send back their signed contract and then wait for confirmation before resigning. Of course anything could go wrong but the current employer would know about the employee leaving as they'd be approached for a reference. Unless you're very very worried that it will be an awful reference then I don't see the harm in resigning once you've accepted.

cardiffgrad1

smileylondongal wrote: »

I'm surprised about this too even for a temp job as this is standard recruitment practice.

I'm a bit confused by some of the advice on here. It's perfectly acceptable to not tell a current employer you're looking elsewhere and just as acceptable not to ask them to be a referee as it's fairly obvious that if you work somewhere currently, a reference will be required. Unless you have an exceptional relationship with your employer, I'd be a little careful about telling them you want to move on especially in a market in which it takes a long time to find a new role!

Also, I've never known anyone to be offered, send back their signed contract and then wait for confirmation before resigning. Of course anything could go wrong but the current employer would know about the employee leaving as they'd be approached for a reference. Unless you're very very worried that it will be an awful reference then I don't see the harm in resigning once you've accepted.

I agree- glad I'm not the only one who thinks this! Yes, in an ideal world you would tell your manager that you're going for an interview and ask them if they will do a reference. But I wouldn't want to risk wrecking relations with my manager for a job that I might not even get. I've only told my managers that I'm going to an interview when I've been in temporary jobs, where they know I'll be leaving anyway.
But I think the OPs worrying way too much about it. They should just go and see what happens.

Torry_Quine

smileylondongal wrote: »

I'm surprised about this too even for a temp job as this is standard recruitment practice.

I'm a bit confused by some of the advice on here. It's perfectly acceptable to not tell a current employer you're looking elsewhere and just as acceptable not to ask them to be a referee as it's fairly obvious that if you work somewhere currently, a reference will be required. Unless you have an exceptional relationship with your employer, I'd be a little careful about telling them you want to move on especially in a market in which it takes a long time to find a new role!

Also, I've never known anyone to be offered, send back their signed contract and then wait for confirmation before resigning. Of course anything could go wrong but the current employer would know about the employee leaving as they'd be approached for a reference. Unless you're very very worried that it will be an awful reference then I don't see the harm in resigning once you've accepted.

The advice I've always been given is that you never resign until the new employer has given a start date which is not at the time you are offered the job as this is always conditional on references, disclosure, medicals etc. If you have resigned and there is a problem and the ofer is withdrawn you have a huge problem as you now have no job and could be sanctioned by DWP for JSA as you left your job without a new one to go to.

It is common practice that your current or last employer is wanted as a reference but is usually not contacted until after a job offer.

Judith_W

Could you put HR as your reference? References can be very basic, even to just confirming duration of employment in x role. Unless you have some noted disciplinary / capability issues they can't say anything negative.

Also, I'm sure most jobs are offered 'dependant on references'...

Savvy_Sue

I think the OP is overthinking things ...

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Employers aren't allowed to give untrue references and they know that so I doubt they would give you a bad reference if you weren't bad!

True.

DAREDEVIL78 wrote: »

hi , i understand replies but some employers are unapproachable as to letting them know you intend to leave and even if you tell them its never going to go down well with them surely . . its like you are using them until you find something better.

If your employer is one of these, then you're stuck there forever on your current reasoning.

DAREDEVIL78 wrote: »

I understand and agree with everyones comments but i think my point is my goal is to get the job but in the rules of job offer from asda it states a job offer will only be made subject to 2 satisfactory references one of which has to be an employer.. . . .and if there is a threat of one of them references being negative then what is the point of going to the interview at all . . .

Because the other interview will be stunning? Because you don't yet KNOW that your current employer won't give a good one? Because you can ask and put in writing that your current employer should not be contacted before a successful interview? Because if you don't go to the interview you certainly won't get the job?

Also if it doesn't say one referee has to be your current employer, can you give a previous employer (check with them first) and say that you will give details of your current employer once you've been offered a job?

DAREDEVIL78 wrote: »

surely asda will want a good reference not just an ok ish reference . . won't they ??

Surely it depends how desperate Asda are, won't it? And how well you perform at interview. They must also be used to 'company policy' references, which may only say what dates someone was employed for. Is that good, or just OK?

KG91

I had an Asda Magic interview in May, I am currently employed by another one of the large supermarkets and I didn't want my manager finding out either. I passed the interview stage and I was offered a job, which I turned down, as far as I'm aware they didn't ask my current employer for a reference. I don't think they ask unless you actually accept the job offer, however I may be wrong.