job problems

[bartholomew]

Dear Friends,

I have a job that I do not like, and I am not going in
the right direction (you do not really know what the job
is like until you have worked for a couple of months)

do you think it is a good idea to say to my line manager
that I am planning to look for another job?
I mean someone has to give me references.
I fear that they might turn against me when i tell them what i intend.

[sammy snake]

Personally I wouldn't tell them.

Usually there is a tick box on an application form that asks something along the lines of 'Please Tick If You Would Prefer Us Not to Contact Your Present Employer Until A Firm Job Offer Has Been Made'.

If you are sending a CV, you could add a short statement along those lines in the references section.

[january_bug]

Hey bartholomew,

Long time no see on here! I hope all is well!

The advice given above is both accurate and sensible, so I shan't waste everyone's time by repeating it.

However, I shall just ask this (more a question you should [or perhaps already have] ask yourself): if your job changed a little, would you stay? Or do you really want a major change of direction? If it's the former, speak to your line manager. If the latter, I'd say to follow sammy's advice - after all, it's not good idea to burn your bridges!