References

[Gottabesomethingbetterthanthis]

In all the years I've been working I've always received great references when I've gone for new jobs. I've made a couple of mistakes recently in my current job and whilst not a big deal, me being me, this has made me lose some confidence with the thought of asking for references. (I over-think, over-analyse, think the worst of everything.) So when applying for new jobs, there's the above plus I don't want to give my current employer as a referee as he never gives 'personal' references - just the bare minimum required for the future employer and the job has not been what I would call 'regular' compared to previous roles, and, more importantly, I would rather use my previous employer as the role with them was far more relevant and appropriate for the future roles I will be applying for.

Will future employers expect to see my current employer on the reference request section? Will they consider it strange, or 'what's the problem', if I don't include them? If it's brought up at interview, what's the best response as to why I haven't included current employer as a referee?

My friend has an upcoming interview and she has been asked for 3 references. Unfortunately the 3rd will have to be from the employer she had to make a bullying complaint about. She tried to miss them out but she wasn't able to, so had to give their details as a referee.

I was told though on my other thread that she needn't worry

References now are nothing more than worked here from x to x, had x days off sick.

Very few employers give personal references. It is very unusual that you have always had good references. References are nearly always neutral, nothing more than a confirmation of dates and possibly position.

@Teeturtle

Very few employers give personal references. It is very unusual that you have always had good references. References are nearly always neutral, nothing more than a confirmation of dates and possibly position.

Ah that's because my main three previous employers were quite open and actually showed me their responses before sending.. yes, unusual and fortunate.