Frequently Asked Questions about References

My Current Employer doesn’t know I am looking for anther job. Who should I ask for a reference?
This is a very common scenario job seekers find themselves in. The first thing to do if you are offered a job is make sure you have a conditional offer in writing. Once you have this it is time to hand in your notice and ask your current employer for a reference. Do not put reference contact details on your CV but if you do, make sure your prospective employer knows not to contact anyone without your permission. Alternatively give one or two other referees that a prospective employer can get in touch with.

I have just left University and have never worked. What should I do?
Employers who recruit graduates or school leavers will expect candidates not to necessarily have a work referee. If you have just left education an academic referee should be used instead e.g. teacher, professor, lecturer or tutor. Alternatively you may have had a part time job or done some volunteer work so ask someone who knew you well to give a positive reference.

I was fired from my last job. What if the interviewer asks for a reference from them?
The fact that you have been fired from a previous job doesn't need to be volunteered in your CV or cover letter but it will most probably be brought up during an interview so be prepared. Honesty is the best policy and a prospective employer may ask to contact your former boss to confirm the circumstances of your departure. Have other referees available to confirm that you would make a good employee.

My former boss has left the last company I worked for. How do I get a reference?
Whatever the circumstances there may be an occasion when you try to get a reference and your old boss or manager no longer works for one of your previous companies. You have 3 choices. Either try to find the contact details of the potential referee using the internet or speaking to former colleagues, ask someone from HR for a generic reference based on timekeeping, days off sick etc or finally have one or two other referees to use as back up. Explain the situation to your prospective employer and ask them fro advice.