To ask them not to ask for a reference...yet!

[oustedbymymate]

Posting for traffic.

I'm applying for a role in a completely different industry to what I work in now. On the application form it says the policy is to request references if shortlisted.

I don't want my current boss finding out I'm applying for another job just yet. If I'm unsuccessful he will make my life very difficult. I can provide a further two reference both work related that can be contacted. Im more than happy for my current boss to be contacted if I am successful. Usually contracts are issued subject to satisfactory references anyway so I don't see why they would need them at shortlisting.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with my references it's just my boss is a arsehole!

Help please!

It depends what the industry is. In anything to do with children, safeguarding rules say they have to get references before interview.

It's absolutely fine to ask them not to request a reference from your current employer until the other pre-employment checks are complete.

I'll often check with candidates they are happy for me to contact their current employer, and it's fine if not. Doesn't generally cause any delays.

It might be enough to ensure you aren’t successful. I know my current role and all the others I’ve had ask for references before bothering with the whole process because that reference would decide if it’s worth our time going through the rest of the process. They wouldn’t decide if you were successful before getting that reference in that situation.

My experience is that it went against me when I contacted the Lead Interviewer and asked not to contact m referee unless I was offered the job. I get your point OP about a difficult boss but potential employers can see this as a red flag.

I think it depends entirely on the profession. In mine, no-one expects to contact references unless someone has been successful at interview and offered the post. If you are interviewing several people; you don't want to be contacting 2 references for each on the off-chance they'll be successful, it just creates work. The last job I applied for it was stated on the application form that referees would only be contacted if successful.

That's not quite right. KCSIE 2024 says
Schools and colleges should obtain references before interview, where possible, this allows any concerns raised to be explored further with the referee and taken up with the candidate at interview

This.
I’m a teacher, I expect references to be gathered prior to interview.

Right I see.

It is teaching.

I was previously a teacher. And can provide a reference from that headteacher that can be contacted before shortlisting.

I don't currently work in teaching. A year out. My boss is really not great. I just think they will make things very difficult for me.

I can provide an up to date DBS check (I'm on the update register) and several more teaching references.

On the application pack it says contacts are offered subject to reference checks so i can't see why it can't happen after

I don’t think this is true?

It is in teaching/schools.
The safer recruiting protocols.

I've just googled safer recruitment. Practices and it doesn't say references must be requested before interviewing

I was in this situation, I was working in Marketing and applied for a job in education. I was very surprised to be asked for a reference upfront, and was not keen to do so, as my company did not know that I was thinking of leaving.
I explained to the school and they were ok holding off for a while. I would would think that as you will have previous teaching references that you can access, they might give you a bit of flexibility with regard to your current role. I cant imagine that asking the question would adversely affect your application. It's perfectly reasonable to not want to jeopardise your current role before you even have an interview.
In my case we came to a compromise and I'm still working at the school nearly ten years later...

As a manager I don't have time to write endless references for every previous employee who is job hunting and might have lined up several interviews...

If I get a pre-interview reference request from a company my standard reply is always that I only provide references for people once they have been offered a job.

I just add a line about the fact that I will be happy to provide a positive reference at a later stage, but not before an interview.

I think it is a really daft request.

It wastes my time as a manager and most people don't want their current employer to know they are job-hunting/leaving until they have secured a new job.