Is there a tactful way.....

[kissesbrady]

I'm thinking of looking for a new job (part-time, nothing serious) in the upcoming weeks. My current job is not bad, but it's come to a stand-still. There isn't any opportunity for promotion and not much for raises. I know I can't expect much of a part-time job, but I've been there for a year and have realized that my responsibilites will never change. I would just like to work somewhere new and different to keep me from being bored out of my mind while at work.

So, my dilemma is: I want to have a job lined up before I quit my current job. I would love to put my current job on applications for a reference b/c I have been a great worker, but I don't know how my boss would react to someone calling for a reference when I haven't even turned in a 2-week notice. I guess I could talk to my current boss about my situation, but she's not exactly what you'd call an understanding, compassionate person. She puts her business first, so I'd probably get the cold shoulder from her until I quit (this has happened in the past w/ old employees). Should I not put my current job on applications, or put it and request that they not call them, or what?

TIA for reading this and giving me advice. Any will be appreciated!

 

[Lilypickle]

Usually prospective places of business realize that contacting a present employer is a sensitive subject and will usually ask on the application whether or not you wish for them to be contacted. Even if they do contact them as a reference they are only supposed to confirm employment and how long you have been there, which is basically what anybody checking credit references would do. If they say where they are calling from and why and inquire about any specifics they are out of line and I am not sure I would want to work for a noncompliant boss anyway.

 

[Coco'smommy]

I have been in this situation and it can be a tough one. While looking before I came here I listed my current employer but let them know I could not have them checking with my employer. I just explained that I would probably get canned if they found out I was looking for another job. Not because of my job performance (i had been there for 5 years) it was just the way that the attorney was. I explained if they decided to hire me and I accepted, after giving my notice they were more than welcome to call him. He was very condenscending and mean and had what I called "only child syndrome". He didn't care about anyone else but himself. It was all about him. I had seen him seriously mess with some of his other employees so I knew I would be treated no differant. It turned out that the other partner (with whom I get along with great) decided to leave the firm and open his own office. Guess who he asked to come with and offered a wonderful package...YAY I accepted immediately and asked when I could start packing...ol I told him at that time I had been looking. He said well I sure wish you would have told us before and then all I had to say was the other attorneys name and he said well...yeah I understand now. I almost left here because we were going to have to relocate and naturally I told my boss and he said of course he would give me a glowing review. I think it depends on the boss and your reasons for leaving. I can tell you tho that it was very difficult looking for work and interviewing, etc and not letting on to my employer. I worked full time and making time for interviews was extremely difficult. This is just what my experience consisted of. I think you can tell them you don't want your current employer to know but you will need adequate time to give them notice. Do you have other people that can give you references rather than your current employer?

 

[LeahR]

Being in the position I am in I have hired alot of people. Vary rarely would I expect to be able to check the current employer as a reference. Applications should have a box or area to check that gives permission to check each individual references. ( i.e. "May we contact?"). First of all no one checks references BEFORE an interview, and most people will only check the references on the top three candidates. So, if you get an interview let them know ( if asked) that your current employer does not know that you are looking for other employment but that you fully intend on giving your current employer 2 weeks notice and that if they'd like to do a basic check ( i.e. yes the person works here etc etc) like someone else here mentioned that you'd be fine with that.

**Another option would be to have the payroll person at your current job give you a letter verifying employment, dates, and rate of pay. If they ask tell them you need it to prove employment, hopefully they won't be nosy and ask for what ( they shouln't it is none of their business!!!)

 

[kissesbrady]

Thanks for your responses! It's nice gaining insight from a different standpoint in the situation. I'm going to put my current job on the application, and just tell the prospective employer that I plan on giving my old job two weeks notice if it gets to that point. I feel much better now

 

[lafsalot]

My daughter similarly felt she had reached an impasse at her job, and applied for several other positions. However, she did allow prospective employers to check all her referrences. When her job got wind of it, they gave her a promotion and a substantial raise. - Cathy