References at Interview stage

[fraggle08]

Hi, quick Q. I'm in the process of applying for a new job. They have an applictaion form and like most organisations who do, its rather over-complicated and lengthy. Anyway it requests 2 referees, one of whom must be your current employer. But it states that references will be taken up at interview stage... Are they allowed to do this (even if Im not offered or accepting the role), and if they are do I have to provide it, knowing what thier plans are for it?
Clearly I do not want my current employer to know I am job hunting so I am not happy to provide their details to a company who I may not actually work for, as it will let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. many thanks

[Buenchico]

The potential new employer is free to determine whatever rules they like regarding references. The are no laws which state when they should, or shouldn't, call for references.

When I was in teaching, it was standard practice for schools to invite applications for a post, weed out those that were obviously unsuitable and then seek references for all,/i> of the remaining candidates. The interview list would only be drawn up after reading all of the references.

it would be much better if all employers followed this method. Then they'd know far more about applicants' real potential (or lack of it) before deciding whether it would be worth interviewing them.

You're free to request that the potential new employer doesn't call for references until after the interview stage but, equally, the employer is free to say "If you don't like our way of doing things, we won't take your application any further".

Chris

[Buenchico]

Oops! Sorry about all of the italics. I should have checked my HTML code before posting.

PS: If your present company values your services, letting them know that you're applying elsewhere might lead to a sudden pay rise ;-)

[fraggle08]

cheers Buenchico, i suspected the answer would be this, but wanted to check. I think I will submit the info to them but ask if they wouldn't mind waiting until after interview stage, if I make it to that stage.
In theory you are right that it would make more sense to reference prior to acceptance of role, however many references these days (esp for large organisations) are just to prove that the person did work there when they said they did and earned what they said they earned. Character traits and ability to do the job are often not considered at all as the person writing it is a HR officer who never even met you!
In small companies like mine, you would be likely to get a more detailed reference from the employer, as my boss is the owner, but she would make my life hell if she found out I was looking. she takes it ever so personally and still berates 1 ex-employee who left about 2 years ago! i'll have to hope and pray that i get it i think!

[buildersmate]

What Chris says is very true in the teaching profession but it is definitely NOT common practice in the private sector.
In addition I would take issue with the assertion that it would be better if all employers did it that way. An existing employer is not obliged to give any more of a reference than confirming that X worked here in the job of PQR for a period of Z years. And many employers do not give more of a reference than that.
It is the application from that gets you the interview and the interview that gets you the job. The application should thus be designed to elucidate examples of where the individual has done something similar before to the new job or examples against the desired competences. The interview seeks the validate and expand on the answers in the application. There is no way that a 'reference' can be expected to go into this level of validation. The reference is used to check the fundamental truths of the picture established at interview.

[fraggle08]

cheers buildersmate! I do agree with you as I said myself references are often done by the HR team who may not have even worked in the same building as you anyway so probably don't give much info other than factual dates n stuff.
Anyway, i decided against applying for the job in the end. I just didn't get a good vibe from them and thought "what sort of company would ask such a thing of you when its totally unecessary".
I've learnt from poor choices in the past to listen to my gut instinct on these things!