Who to use as references when applying outside your current employer

I intend to look for new work later in the year and I'm fairly sure my manager would be disappointed that I'm leaving since they've already raised the issues of high turnover lack of team stability. I think I'm overpaid at the moment specifically to prevent me looking elsewhere.

I could use previous colleagues from the business when I was on a different team (global company), however a new employer will probably want to hear from someone who's dealt with me in my current role over the last 12 months.

Do you think it would be unwise to ask someone on my current team to be a reference and keep it secret from the manager?

Has anyone been in this situation? I could give an interviewer a good answer to why I want to leave, but past that the interviewer could absolutely drill me, "why aren't you telling them?", "how can we trust you?", "we need someone to verify your current work and responsibilities", etc.

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Comments

renacido

Usually HR recruiters and hiring managers have the good sense to understand why you don't want them to contact your current employer for a reference. And if a company I was interviewing with ever asked me why I hadn't informed my current employer of my job search, I might end the interview then and there and walk out. Anyone with half a brain knows that as soon as your boss is aware you are actively job hunting, unless they need you so bad that they'd fight to keep you, you're considered halfway out the door. Here in the US, if my boss got a call from another company for a reference, depending on the type of person he/she is and our relationship, that could be all that is needed to make that day my last day of work. Companies worry about disgruntled workers and some even have policies that dictate an employee seeking outside employment should be dismissed to avoid risk of sabotage, theft, espionage, behavioral issues, etc. So I would not worry about anyone expecting you to be transparent with your current employer about your job search. Matter of fact, more often companies are becoming flexible on your start date, knowing that if you plan on giving your old job 2 weeks notice, they may send you packing with 2 minutes notice. The lay of the land these days, sad to say.

If you're asked in an application to provide your current employer as a reference:

Your current company might have a "no reference policy" to avoid legal liability, if so just state that in the application.

Otherwise, you can tell them that they may contact your current employer only if they offer you the job.

nachodba

Anyone you trust at your current job that will give you a good reference.

thomas_

I put down "Undisclosed Company" on my resume, LinkedIn, and resumes on job sites. I didn't want people looking the company contact information up on the internet and calling mu current company for reasons Renacido mentioned.

A recruiter contacted me to schedule a phone interview. During the phone interview the recruiter mentioned the "Undisclosed Company" and asked why I did not list the company name. I told the recruiter that my current employer didn't know I was looking for new employment. The recruiter then said "That's understandable, so who is it." Once again I told them that I would prefer not to disclose that information. The recruiter finally said that they just had to verify that I wasn't a current employee of their company already.

Afterwards I was invited in for an in-person interview and offered the position, which I accepted, all without disclosing my current company or providing a reference from my current company. The position was pretty low-level, so your results may vary. I would be very hesisitant using someone at my current company for a reference just because people talk. People like to gossip.

E Double U

For the new job I'm starting in May, I didn't list a contact at my current employer and I told them it was because I didn't notify my boss that I was looking for other employment. I landed the job so obviously it wasn't a problem. I gave them my CISO's contact info after the deal was sealed.

cyberguypr

This crap that thomas_ mentions happens a lot. I don't go to the extent to mark my employer as undisclosed but am VERY clear from the beginning that there should be zero communication with my current employer. Given that many have adopted "no reference" policies all they could do is verify that you worked there, so kind of pointless. Also, all my references are professional and personal contacts that haven't worked with me in my last couple of roles but can vouch for my expertise and work ethics. I have never come across the overzealous recruiter or hiring manager that demands employer contact info or questions my integrity. When/if so, I would tell them to go pound sand.

BillHoo

One of my old bosses would never take calls for references. He would forward the recruiter to HR who would then verify employment. He said there was too much liability in answering questions for reference. If a person didn't get the job, they could sue.

abelamorales

From my experience, potential employers respect the fact that you do not want them to contact your current employer for obvious reasons. I have made a lot of friends at my existing position and can hit them up on the side to use them as a reference, if I wanted. If you are working alongside professionals, they'll get it and respect your privacy - they won't disclose it to your manager.

With that said, I have used references from my previous employers. The important part is to make sure you can get references from different levels - peers, managers, and members outside of your group that can vouche for you.

Overall, I have never been asked for any references, so this should really be the last thing on your plate. You should more so focus on how can you sell yourself during the interview process.

markulous

I wouldn't ever give them references from my current job until I signed an offer letter, then they can call their hearts out. I haven't ever gotten any grief from saying that. I think it's pretty reasonable not to give them your current job's contact info for obvious reasons.

E Double U

BillHoo wrote: »

He would forward the recruiter to HR who would then verify employment.

That is basically what most potential employers want to do anyways.

IronmanX

I really don't get the point of references.

If I was to buy a car and asked the car sales men to provide me with references should i really trust what those references say?
Or a contractor to do work on my house...

I've been at my current place of work for 5 years.
Any references are going to be at least 5 years old.