Asking a current employer to be a reference on a CV ?

shauncr91

shauncr91

shauncr91

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2007
Posts
11,553
Location
Sheffield
Has anyone here asked a current employer to be a reference on a CV if they are looking for a new job?

Is it a good idea to do or would they be likely to be a bit dodgy about it since they will know you're considering leaving?

Thanks :)
 
Agreed

RDM said:
Dont put references on your CV. Mention they are available on request on the covering letter.
Click to expand...

Most employers will want to check after (or soemtimes before) an offer is made to you and normally they will want to confirm with your previous employer.

Then we come to the part about the fact that your current employer is highly uinlikely to say anything other than the dates you worked there etc and nothing further.
 
I have asked what was my current employer at the time if they'd be a referee for me and it hasn't been an issue but then they knew that it was only a temporary job and that I was likely to be moving on. As AtticusFinch says the employer may well just state dates worked there and what your job title was or similar.

I also used to put the names of referees on my CV though so maybe I'm not the best person to be giving advice although with that said I never found it to be a problem with either new employers or my current/previous employers.
 
I've always asked my current employers if they're happy to be a reference and never been knocked back - it's routine for bosses.

I've also done it for people working for me, honestly I'd be rather annoyed if they didn't want to use me for a reference! There's nothing wrong with looking for a new job, chances are your boss is doing that too. as with semi-pro waster I always put references on my CV or job applications and I'm always wary of people who don't do this. What are they hiding? ;)
 
ask for a reference when you hand your notice in.

This should ideally be moments after you've received your job offer from them. And most potentially employers will agree to not ask for a reference till they've made an offer

this avoids you having to tell them you're leaving before you've found something. Some bosses (especially those in small business' with little morals) will possibly sack you there and then and tell you not to come back. yes they arent allowed to do it, but bosses do it anyway and count upon people either not having the sense or the convicition to follow it through to court (experienced this myself so it does happen)
 
Normally there's a box to tick on app forms which says don't contact untill after the interview (accepted for the job) or write it yourself.
 
RDM said:
Dont put references on your CV. Mention they are available on request on the covering letter.
Click to expand...


I've been told the complete opposite by many knowledgeable people. Such as careers advisors, CV workshops, etc.

The reasoning was don't make the person reading the CV work, spoon feed them information. Make it easy for them.

Makes sense tbh.
 
I've just applied for a position with another company, 6k better salery for the same work, manager was happy to provide a reference.
 
I'm always hearing mixed advice on this. Personally I've stopped putting references on my CV and it hasn't stopped me getting jobs. I always mention at the interview that I can provide references when needed. I dunno though....maybe it looks good having references on there and it does give the person reading one less thing to think about. I don't think it's a deal-breaker either way.
 
Actually. i have a question.

When applying for a position, What if you don't have the option of previous professional referenecs.

I only ask as i was made redundant previously, and had been putting my previous employer on covering letters as a reference, with them being my only employer since i left college.

However since then they have gone into administration
 
Ricochet J said:
I've been told the complete opposite by many knowledgeable people. Such as careers advisors, CV workshops, etc.

The reasoning was don't make the person reading the CV work, spoon feed them information. Make it easy for them.

Makes sense tbh.
Click to expand...
Not at all.

How would you like this to happen:

[1] You apply for job
[2] They call your current employers asking for a reference, as it's already on your CV
[3] They don't give you the job (either before interview or after).

You're then stuck with your old job and a boss that knows you're looking to escape. That's not a good situation for anyone.

I actually had that happen to me, sort of. I applied for a job and the guy who interviewed me knew my boss. So without me knowing he contacted my boss and got a reference. (I didnt have anything about references on my CV). Problem being my boss was a complete tool and had it in for me. Funnily enough I didn't get the job. Even though my boss never said anything to me about it, I managed to wipe the smirk off his face as I got another job that I'd interviewed for at the same time. He looked rather confused when I handed in my notice :p

Since then I've always put 'References available on request' to stop anyone even considering contacting my current employers.
 
Ricochet J said:
I've been told the complete opposite by many knowledgeable people. Such as careers advisors, CV workshops, etc.

The reasoning was don't make the person reading the CV work, spoon feed them information. Make it easy for them.

Makes sense tbh.
Click to expand...

"Knowledgeable people" - don't you mean those people that couldn't get a job themselves so start preaching to others how to get one :p

References on request in my approach.
 
Apok said:
Actually. i have a question.

When applying for a position, What if you don't have the option of previous professional referenecs.

I only ask as i was made redundant previously, and had been putting my previous employer on covering letters as a reference, with them being my only employer since i left college.

However since then they have gone into administration
Click to expand...

Are you still in touch with your previous boss(es) on any level e.g. could you ask them to be a personal referee for you? Or have they perhaps provided you with a sample reference that you could use when applying?

If neither of those options is available then I'd step back towards asking your school/college/university lecturers for a reference - possibly ask a couple of them for a reference and if questioned explain that the company has gone into administration making it impossible to get a reference in the normal way. However if it's been a very long time since you were in education then you may well have to rely on a personal referee e.g. a family friend or someone you know and get on well with in a professional capacity who can provide something about your qualities.

Ricochet J said:
Which is illegal. They must contact you first and ask for your permission before they contact your referee.
Click to expand...

This is true but I can understand people not wanting to take the risk, some bosses will not follow the rules on this and it could lead to an awkward situation. It's never bothered me but other people have very different circumstances so it may be more of an issue for them even if the contact is made with the best intentions.
 
NiCkNaMe said:
"Knowledgeable people" - don't you mean those people that couldn't get a job themselves so start preaching to others how to get one :p

References on request in my approach.
Click to expand...

I know, CV people are useless lol.

Amleto said:
what law does this break? :confused:
Click to expand...

Article 8 of The European Convention on Human Rights. The right to respect for private life.

Lol, I'm joking. To be honest, the UK has very little on privacy law apart from breach of confidence and the human rights act.


I always put my references on my CV, no point wasting time and why would someone call your boss for a reference if they weren't thinking of giving you the job or an interview anyway. If they give you an interview, it's not your boss that's going to change your mind, unless you have a really bad sick record or have been disciplined.
 
Ricochet J said:
I've been told the complete opposite by many knowledgeable people. Such as careers advisors, CV workshops, etc.

The reasoning was don't make the person reading the CV work, spoon feed them information. Make it easy for them.

Makes sense tbh.
Click to expand...

Why does it make sense? Since when will managers go off referencing staff they have might not offer a job to.

all jobs I've had have done my references after I've started the job in the probationary period.
 
i've always just put references available on request

never yet had anybody request them prior to an offer or complain about not having them on the C.V.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom