References request

DulceMiel

I'm applying for a new job, yet I've come to the references section and they're saying that if shortlisted (before interviews) it is their practice to approach my referees. One should be by current employer, yet I definitely do not want her to know that I'm looking elsewhere. If I don't get the job it's probably going to be very awkward, as you can imagine!

How should I approach this? Surely they must understand that it's a tricky situation.

Any advice much appreciated!

Stylehutz

Each to their own but personally I would not apply. Depends on each individuals situation. I would only allow my current employer to be approached for a reference on condition I was offered the role after interview.

TELLIT01

You could put a covering letter with the application stating that you do not wish your current employer to be contacted until after interview if you are successful in your application. Add that if this is not acceptable to them you regret you will have to withdraw the application.
A girl who worked with us thought this had happened to her. Her manager had a phone call asking for a reference, and this was only to requested if a job offer had been made. The girl hadn't received a job offer so called the HR department to ask what they thought they were doing. The response was that a job offer had been sent out to her. It arrived the next day. Still embarrassing at the time as she didn't really know what to say to her boss.

pmduk

TELLIT01 wrote: »

You could put a covering letter with the application stating that you do not wish your current employer to be contacted until after interview if you are successful in your application. Add that if this is not acceptable to them you regret you will have to withdraw the application.

I'd add that you wish to be notified before your current employer is approached in order to avoid embarrassment and/or misunderstanding.

Errata

DulceMiel wrote: »

I'm applying for a new job, yet I've come to the references section and they're saying that if shortlisted (before interviews) it is their practice to approach my referees. One should be by current employer, yet I definitely do not want her to know that I'm looking elsewhere. If I don't get the job it's probably going to be very awkward, as you can imagine!

How should I approach this? Surely they must understand that it's a tricky situation.

Any advice much appreciated!

Possibly, but they don't actually care.

Aquamania

Stylehutz wrote: »

Each to their own but personally I would not apply. Depends on each individuals situation. I would only allow my current employer to be approached for a reference on condition I was offered the role after interview.

Presumably you mean you would be offered the role subject to satisfactory references.

If not, there would be no point taking up the references.

OP - if you decide to apply, I would leave off providinbg references at this stage and simply advise something along the lines of "To be discussed and agreed at interview"

It's actually quite unusual to take up references before interviews because, as well as it possibly causing issues as you describe, it would also be a lot of wasted time & effort on the part of the potential employer, and referees, as presumably there is only one vacancy, and who knows how many applicants, ... and it could be that after interview, no applicant is considered appropriate and they continue their search.

I would hope any potential employer understands, and you will probably find out if you adopt my suggested approach. If the potential employer does not understand, you probably had a lucky escape.

DKLS

I never supply references with an application or CV. If they want to make me an offer they can contact them but not before.

General_Grant

Do they want current plus one or two others? Provide reference contact details for all but your current employer.

You could try not naming your current employer, simply an indication of their size and field perhaps.

In some organisations it is not uncommon to seek references before interview (but after shortlisting). That way they are able more speedily to confirm an offer and have the reference at the time of interview. For example this can happen in the NHS.