References requested in advance but don't want current employer to know

[MrsDeathOfRats]

I'm searching for a new job and don't want my current employer to know.
I'm certain to be sacked if they found out I'm job hunting! Many of the jobs I'm looking at want references prior to interview though!.

How do you manage this situation when the job I'm applying for wants references prior to interview and I can't use my current employer as a reference?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What about other, previous employers?

They won't mean current employers at this stage, I don't think? Previous ones will do for now.

I have never heard of references being requested pre interview.

In the past I have used previous employers or a trusted former colleague who used to work at current company but now left. If neither of those are an option you could see if they will take a character reference for the time being with work references if the job is offered.

State your reason why you aren’t giving your current employer details to the potential new employer and provide an older employer/colleague as a reference instead?
Your only other to options I can see are don’t apply at all, or apply, give the details and hope for the best it doesn’t back fire in some way. (Not sure you can be fired for job hunting but certainly employers can make your life more unpleasant if they find out. )

You are well within your rights to respond that you will only provide references if they make you an offer.

Can you say what sort of sector you work in? I seem to recall for teaching jobs this is standard practice, but I haven't come across this before in other fields.

Can you provide reference details for any previous employers and explain you will provide details for your current role if successful?

Thanks, I will use previous employees. I just wondered if there was any general thing with this.
I haven't done the job application/interviewing process in such a long time!

I deffo can't be sacked for job hunting but a huge part of the reason I'm leaving this job is the toxic horrible environment I work within. So life would be made horribly difficult and unhappy.

Yes, looking within the school sector.
Coming from an accounting background so this isn't usual practice in my sector.

It is standard practice for schools, part of the safer recruitment thing iirc. They will want your most recent employer though I'd think - call them and ask. But it's about safeguarding first and foremost.

Do they actually want to contact your references prior to interview?

Or do they just want the details.

Says the references will be requested prior to interview.
I'm still going to apply and offer them previous employers with a covering letter explaining.
My current role has no interaction with Children at all, however the one prior did.

Thanks for the replies. I've got nothing to lose by trying!

I believe it is standard in teaching/schools, think of them as a large national employer - similar to if I applied for another job in another department in my company, my line manager would be told.

Your school knows this is normal practice and they will not be able to sack you for it.

HR for schools.

References prior to interview is mandatory at our Trust for teachers.

We use the same application for Teachers and Support Staff so it states that as a blanket, but we wouldn't insist for Support if you put in a covering letter.

Your offer will be contingent on satisfactory references though, and will be sought from your primary employer.

They generally don’t contact employees until you have been offered the position though. It’s just a time saving thing

Fab, thanks. This is all ace information.

I'm not coming from a school background at the moment but it is a support staff role.
Deffo gonna go ahead and apply, just stating my preference for them to not contact. And if they are t happy with that then guess this one isn't for me 🤷🏻‍♀️