Company asking for references in initial application

[Referencequery]

Anyone experienced this?

I’m applying for a new job, online application that won’t let you submit without filling in all sections.

It wants details of a reference for the last 2 years of employment, and wants email and phone number.

Says is a 2 stage process

Ive worked for the same company for 10 years, and all my close colleagues still work for them,

It will be really awkward to ask them to be a reference, especially since it’s a first round application, probably won’t get through both.

It seem so unreasonable to ask for reference at this early stage.

Or is this normal? I’m new to this job application thing..

Apologies for shit grammar and spelling, phone gone mad...

In my experience, references are needed on initial application but not contacted until you’re offered the job?

Is the form validating what you enter in the fields to check they really are email addresses/phone numbers? If not, I usually just write something like, "References will be provided in the event of job offer". That approach doesn't appear to have ever prevented my application being progressed but even if it did, I would rather miss out on that opportunity than have my employer know I'm job hunting.

It won't contact them until the job is basically yours - they just want to know you've got some to weasel out people who haven't!

powerslidepanda thanks for that advice, it’s a form that won’t let you progress until you have filled it, so will try writing that.

I’ve completed the application form, and put ‘references available on request”. Hopefully that will suffice for now.

Still have to deal with asked current company for reference whilst still working for them.. official policy is not to give references at all, other than basic information on time worked and role. Not sure how i can get more detailed references if needed..

Is it a job involving children or vulnerable adults? If so, they need to follow 'safer recruitment' policies and they need to check references before they invite you to interview.

No, not anything to do with children or vulnerable adults. It’s civil service and will need a security check if they are to proceed.

I’ll have to figure out the references if they do ask, will be very awkward asking current colleagues.