What do new employers ask for in a reference?

kate87

Hello,

I've just accepted a new job, and I am now slightly concerned about the reference, and if they will ask about my salary.

In my previous job I was offered 32 or 37.5 hours, I took 32 so that I could do some freelance work in my time off (my employer said I was welcome to change my mind and go up to 37.5 if I wanted to later on).
I decided to do this because despite it being a great role, thinking longer term about my career it didn't offer the development and training opportunities I wanted, my freelance work has allowed me to learn and develop a lot of relevant skills. It's also worth mentioning I freelance in the same field as I'm employed.

In my CV I have mentioned my freelance work, but they didn't ask a lot of questions about my work in the interview, so it didn't come up, and as my employed work is fairly close to full time anyway I didn't think it was worth making a point about.

The salary at the new job is based on working 37.5 hours, but compared pro-rata is very very slightly lower than my current one (but it's perfect for me so it's not the end of the world).
Out of interest I asked if there was any movement in the salary and they asked why, and I explained I am on very slightly more where I am now. They asked how much I was on, and I blurted out the full time figure (in my mind, as I could go up to full time if I wanted to, it made sense to quote this figure). I've not been greedy, it's literally £500 difference and a few days extra holiday!

So if they do a reference check on my salary, they will see that my income from my current company is actually less than I've said it is.

Am I better to go back and explain my position so they don't think I've been dishonest? Or do you think I'll be ok?

I realise I've made something small sound a lot worse than it is!

Nicki

No it's fine. You gave your full time equivalent salary for current job so they could compare like with like. If they asked the question at all of your current employer I would expect the reference to refer to the fact that the actual salary was pro rata based on less hour or to quote your FTE as you did.

kate87

Thanks Nicki, that's made me feel a bit better!

I think the reason why I feel a bit guilty is that I think they've assumed I work full time in my job, when I actually work 32 hours. Although they haven't asked and I've just not said!

misspickle_2

Say nothing about your little porky pie!
Stop digging.
They will hopefully see it as initiative
Keep it zipped and enjoy the new job :T

misspickle_2

Unless you are a traffic warden :eek:
Then I think you should come clean

DKLS

I have had about 10 reference requests this year and so far none have asked for salary level.

KiKi

Also, an employer is highly unlikely to question a £500 difference on a FT salary. Don't worry about it. IF they ask, you explain it's the full time equivalent, because they're also offering a full time role. You're overthinking, so don't panic!

kate87

Thank you everyone

xapprenticex

32 hours is full time last time i checked.

References are a legal minefield nowadays, many companies will just confirm you worked there. If there was a problem, the company will simply refuse to give a reference and person requesting the reference will/should be able to read between the lines.