Job References Question

irish life

I'm in my first year of college and have had 2 short term jobs so far aswell as working in my fathers business for years on and off. Anyway, I'm just back from an interview for a summer job in a bookies which went well. At the end the interviewer said she'd check my references and give me a call back.
"If I don't ring you back tomorrow it's because I'm still waiting on a reference"

She asked me which of the 2 references would be best to call and I told her my most recent job which I worked in last summer. What I'm wondering is was I supposed to contact my old employer to ask them to act as referee? It's probably too late to call them now but just for future reference (excuse the pun).

This is the first time this issue came up as it's the first time anyone actually contacted my referee's, due to the type of jobs I've had.

damnyanks

Of course you should, thats a daft question

Think about it logically. You're sitting around doing nothing one day when someone you dont know rings you asking about one of your buddies you havent seen in a year.

irish life

I kinda thought they'd be used to it. They'd ring up my old boss asking for a reference. The old boss says no problem, gets the address and sends it to them. I don't see how me warning them changes anything really.

Will it harm my chances?

pow wow

I've never in all my life 'warned' a previous employer that I was using them as a reference. I think it's kinda understood that if you leave you'll be getting another job somewhere else....one that would require a reference from the previous employer.

ArthurDent

I'd always call up ex-boss and let them know that they might be getting a call , just so they are prepared. Or in case you find out they're on holidays for the next 3 weeks, off traing somewhere else - any number of things that mught make them unavailable for such a call.
Whoever is thinking of employing you might have 2 or 3 suitable candidates and the only thing that will separate you is the reference you get - do you really think they are going to waste time trying to track down a reference for you if they can't get the guy immediately. they'll go straight to next person on the list unless you are way ahead of them.

Nody

irish life wrote:

I kinda thought they'd be used to it. They'd ring up my old boss asking for a reference. The old boss says no problem, gets the address and sends it to them. I don't see how me warning them changes anything really.

Will it harm my chances?

I've given multiple references and yes, a courtesy call is something I do expect before I get a call for reference. One reason is simply that I may not want to give a reference for a person (bad worker etc. and hence I'll refer the person to our HR department instead) or that they have been "creative" in what they claimed to have dealt with.

Also please note that most references are done directly on the phone with the person filling in your answers for you instead of sending it back in writing (faster and more likely the reference will be returned).

hunnymonster

I've another question, or rather a few questions, about references.

1. I don't want my current boss to know I'm looking for a job just yet. Is reference seeking always the last step?

2. My current line manager knows me and my work best but I also do some work in other departments. These other departments would be more relevant to the kinds of job I'm looking at now. Who should I use as referee's?

3. Is it ok to put "references available on request" on a cv? Some jobs state "send a complete cv along with the neames of 2-3 referee's to....." so I guess in that case I have to include them from the get-go but otherwise?

Nody

hunnymonster wrote:

1. I don't want my current boss to know I'm looking for a job just yet. Is reference seeking always the last step?

Yet to see a time where I'd be interested in it before the job offer (a.k.a. the last step).

2. My current line manager knows me and my work best but I also do some work in other departments. These other departments would be more relevant to the kinds of job I'm looking at now. Who should I use as referee's?

Use your own judgment, who ever you're using as reference will most likely be asked what his role is to you (a.k.a. do you answer to him/her or not).

3. Is it ok to put "references available on request" on a cv? Some jobs state "send a complete cv along with the neames of 2-3 referee's to....." so I guess in that case I have to include them from the get-go but otherwise?

I would never put any other type of reference on any CV (inc. the once asking for them directly, simply state X amount of references available for time period and work location x, y and z). If they need my references I also expect a job offer on the table.

hunnymonster

Thanks Nody.

mountainyman

You should always ring the old employer and prep them for the reference.

You should also always check that they give you a good reference.

MM

hunnymonster

[edit] oops misread something.