How would you ask for a reference?

ironlady2022

Hi

I need to ask my current Manager for a reference but not sure how to word it. Need to package it nicely as only been there 4 months. Do I ask for reference and warn him of my resignation letter? Or ask for reference and hand in notice at the same time?

Torry_Quine

You definitely don't put in your notice until you have a confirmed job offer. Others may disagree but I didn't think it was normal to ask your current employer but just give the details to the prospective employer.

McKneff

There really is no point in asking for a reference, a future employer would think it isnt worth the paper its written on, mainly because anyone can write up a reference.

The new employer would aks for references but you would normally put down previous employment for references.

If you ask your current employer you face unemployment as they can get rid of you almost for nothing within the first/second year of your employment.

LittleVoice

Torry_Quine wrote: »

You definitely don't put in your notice until you have a confirmed job offer. Others may disagree but I didn't think it was normal to ask your current employer but just give the details to the prospective employer.

Agreed you don't submit a resignation before having a firm job offer not conditional on receipt of satisfactory references.

It is considered polite to ask referees before giving their contact details for a reference. Receiving a reference request from the new prospective employer without being forewarned by the candidate is not good form.

LittleVoice

McKneff wrote: »

There really is no point in asking for a reference, a future employer would think it isnt worth the paper its written on, mainly because anyone can write up a reference.

The new employer would aks for references but you would normally put down previous employment for references.

If you ask your current employer you face unemployment as they can get rid of you almost for nothing within the first/second year of your employment.

There is point in asking someone to be a referee. Agreed there is no point in asking for a testimonial (that is something like a "To Whom it may concern" letter).

The current employer is a "previous" employer as far as a prospective employer is concerned.

LittleVoice

mayling03 wrote: »

Hi

I need to ask my current Manager for a reference but not sure how to word it. Need to package it nicely as only been there 4 months. Do I ask for reference and warn him of my resignation letter? Or ask for reference and hand in notice at the same time?

Say how you have enjoyed working for the company and him as a manager but you have needed to find another job and have a job offer and the recruiting company would want to approach him for a reference.

Check that he is allowed to give references as some employers insist that references can be given only by HR or a director.

Do not hand in your resignation until the new company have confirmed they have all the references/checks that they need and give you a proposed start date (or otherwise indicate that the job is really yours).

ironlady2022

Hi thank you for everyone's input. Unfortunately they are asking for references from last 5 years so cannot avoid not getting one from current job. I agree it's a matter of courtesy to ask my current manager to write a reference as I don't want them to drop the bombshell on him.

I will hand in notice fter everything is satisfactory.

cr1mson

Can you ask your prospective employer not to contact your current one until they have made an offer? Some application forms offer that option anyway.

C

ironlady2022

Hi cr1mson, I have the job offer letter in my hand and unfortunately it is conditional on satisfactory references amongst other things. This is quite normal I guess as I've been through this a few times. The thing making me nervus is the short length of employment in my current job.

I've only been in the industry since April and it's the only ref that will be relevant to my future post. Just hope the Manager is understanding and that ppl move on. Also dubt he can offer me same money to stay and even then I don't want to.

LittleVoice

mayling03 wrote: »

Hi cr1mson, I have the job offer letter in my hand and unfortunately it is conditional on satisfactory references amongst other things. This is quite normal I guess as I've been through this a few times. The thing making me nervus is the short length of employment in my current job.

I've only been in the industry since April and it's the only ref that will be relevant to my future post. Just hope the Manager is understanding and that ppl move on. Also dubt he can offer me same money to stay and even then I don't want to.

The short time you have been with your current employer should actually make it easier to say you are leaving. Employers know that new employees are generally more likely to leave that those who have been there longer. It's because, when looking for the job they have, they will have been applying to other employers and applications often take a good while to progress through the various stages to receive a job offer.

Thank them for the opportunity they have given you and if you also explain that this is career progression for you it will be understandable that you would want to move on. Only mention the pay increase if you are asked, and if you want to, otherwise it looks like you are trying to start a bidding round.

Good luck with the new job.