References

Torry_Quine

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

I also read somewhere that it is possible for you to ask for references to be taken only after you have started the job - is this true?

I can't see any reputable prospective employer agreeing to this. Employing someone before getting references means that if there is a problem then you will be sacked and for the next job then you'll need to tell why you were sacked. :eek:

MoneySavingUser

LadyMissA wrote: »

Every employer has to ask permission from you to take up the references as you supply the details but they can insist that all references will be taken before interview or before an offer is made.

Why would you as an employee want the references to be taken AFTER you have started? What have you got to hide?

It's not that I have anything to hide.

I have been reading this book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Answers-Tough-Interview-Questions/dp/074946352X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330949036&sr=1-1

and sometimes the things in there don't seem quite right so I like to ask here

I actually mis-remembered the question and it was talking about current employer references rather than previous employers (i.e if you are already working somewhere else and not unemployed)

The book says:

Can we check your references?

Your answer may include , 'Yes, of course you can check my references. However, at present, I would like to keep matters confidential, until we have established a serious mutual interest [an offer]. At such time I will be pleased to furnish you with whatever references you need from prior employers. I would expect you to wait to check my current employers references until you have extended an offer in writing, I have accepted, we have agreed on a start date and I have had the opportunity to resign [from the job you are leaving] in a professional manner.

It then says

You are under no obligation to give references from a current employer until you have a written offer in hand. You are also well within your rights to request reference checks of current employers wait until you have started your new job.

Opinions on the books statement?

anamenottaken

Can we check your references?

Your answer may include , 'Yes, of course you can check my references. However, at present, I would like to keep matters confidential, until we have established a serious mutual interest [an offer]. At such time I will be pleased to furnish you with whatever references you need from prior employers. I would expect you to wait to check my current employers references until you have extended an offer in writing, I have accepted, we have agreed on a start date and I have had the opportunity to resign [from the job you are leaving] in a professional manner.

A very long-winded response. Why use "furnish"? Very silly to say you would resign before they took up references - the offer of a job from any reasonably savvy employer would include a condition of "subject to satisfactory references". Those references obviously being satisfactory in their eyes, not anyone else's.

You are under no obligation to give references from a current employer until you have a written offer in hand. You are also well within your rights to request reference checks of current employers wait until you have started your new job.

Don't offer the contact details of a referee, don't expect to receive an offer of any job really worth having. No idea what "rights" they are writing about. When I've employed people where we hadn't got references back in time for the start date we wanted, I've actually had them working with us as an agency worker (for them to receive the same pay as if they were employed directly) pending the receipt of the references. That would have made the process very easy if the references had not been satisfactory. (Though it is not difficult to dismiss people within the first year, our standard terms of employment meant giving one month's notice so this alternative would have allowed an instant parting of the ways.)

LadyMissA

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

It's not that I have anything to hide.

I have been reading this book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Answers-Tough-Interview-Questions/dp/074946352X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330949036&sr=1-1

and sometimes the things in there don't seem quite right so I like to ask here

I actually mis-remembered the question and it was talking about current employer references rather than previous employers (i.e if you are already working somewhere else and not unemployed)

The book says:

It then says Opinions on the books statement?

If you think a book is right then go with that but i say this you dont let the employer get a reference on you untill you have accpeted the job then what if the offer is then retracted as you cant get a ref or it's not good enough. I would always say they could get a ref if they have offered me the job then I would accept the offer when they are happy with the references.

If your current employer then asks to speak to you then you have nothing to hide cause if your refs are good then you will be leaving anyway and they cn't stop you applying for and going for a new job.

kirstle99

Sorry to hijack a little, but my current employer has a policy of only supplying factual references (it's in the employee handbook). I want to apply for a job on NHS jobs but it says I need to give name of person providing reference etc. Shall i just give them the payroll details and then write something about it in the supporting information?

MoneySavingUser

LadyMissA wrote: »

If you think a book is right then go with that

No I don't think the book is right - hence I am asking on here for further info

I'm starting to think that the book is unrealistic and targeted at more senior managers etc. who are able to negotiate their offers more rather than the average person looking for a job (though it claims to cover everyone and has a graduate chapter etc.)

It even has one section on if you get rejected to ask for another interview/chance which I think very few employers will agree to unless you are quite a senior/skilled person (also what if the job has already been offered to someone else)

mumof3mk

got a slight problem regarding references when i apply for work, which im still looking for work now.
problem is..........

few years ago, was self employed, working with kleeneze, but left on slight bad terms,a s got in bit of bother, and owed them some money which is All payed up, hence no ref from them!.

last year, worked with agency at local supermarket, but no ref there, as they wanted me (agency) to do 12 hr shifts, going from no work to 12 hr shifts was hard and i felt i was not ready to handle 12 hr shifts so quickly. agency let me go etc.. no ref there.

apart from that ive been a stay at home mum...
what can i do ??

seven-day-weekend

mumof3mk wrote: »

got a slight problem regarding references when i apply for work, which im still looking for work now.
problem is..........

few years ago, was self employed, working with kleeneze, but left on slight bad terms,a s got in bit of bother, and owed them some money which is All payed up, hence no ref from them!.

last year, worked with agency at local supermarket, but no ref there, as they wanted me (agency) to do 12 hr shifts, going from no work to 12 hr shifts was hard and i felt i was not ready to handle 12 hr shifts so quickly. agency let me go etc.. no ref there.

apart from that ive been a stay at home mum...
what can i do ??

Just give them very strong character referees, or someone who you have done voluntary work for, and tell them you don't have employment referees because you were self-employed (not a lie).

t0rt0ise

kirstle99 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack a little, but my current employer has a policy of only supplying factual references (it's in the employee handbook). I want to apply for a job on NHS jobs but it says I need to give name of person providing reference etc. Shall i just give them the payroll details and then write something about it in the supporting information?

If it were me, I would simply give the name of my manager and sort it out if and when I got a job offer. Better not outline possible problems on the application form and give a bad impression. Once they've offered you the job (or shortlisted you if they want references before interview) these things can be worked out.

anamenottaken

kirstle99 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack a little, but my current employer has a policy of only supplying factual references (it's in the employee handbook). I want to apply for a job on NHS jobs but it says I need to give name of person providing reference etc. Shall i just give them the payroll details and then write something about it in the supporting information?

Does the handbook say who/which department provides references? I would have expected it to be HR rather than Payroll but I suppose this depends on the employer, particularly if they don't have an HR department but do have someone who does payroll.

For the NHS jobs - I haven't looked at the online application for some time but I would expect you to be able to complete the reference details by providing a job title or departmental name. Just see what fits. There must be many people who work/worked for companies which don't allow individual managers to provide references and so any NHS employer should be able to cope with an application completed without a named person as referee.