Changing jobs -- references

[Ambulance Chaser]

I am thinking of applying for another job. The announcement for the job in which I am interested requests a list of three professional references. I have been at my current job for almost four years, so it is unavoidable that a few of my supervisors will be on that list. What is the most delicate way to broach this subject to those individuals?

 

[lifersfc]

I would not list any references. After you have been in for interviews and they are thinking about hiring you, then you can go ahead and provide names of colleagues and superiors. But having these people know you are out looking for a new job is not going to be pleasant.

 

[globetrotter]

what I have done is the following

References

1. my direct suporvisor (name and contact details to be provided immidiatly following interview) has known me for years and has given me above satisfactory evaluations every year
2. previous suporvisor - John Smith, 555 8787, has known me for 8 years, and ......
3. head of department (name and contact details to be provided immidiatly following interviet) has interacted with me extensively and awarded me MVP in 2007
4. etc.

 

[DNW]

Clients? People who have worked with you, but not from your firm?

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Clients? People who have worked with you, but not from your firm?
I work for the federal government. I know two criminal defendants who I kept in prison who can attest to my legal acumen.

 

[lawyerdad]

C, if I may ask, is it a government or private sector position? In my experience (quite recent in fact, today's my last day at my firm) the potential employer often will agree to hold off on contacting references until the point at which they are the last hurdle in the process. Otherwise, I think it depends a lot on your relationship with your supervisors and with the firm in general. Obviously, the more different the position is from what you're doing (e.g., it's a public sector job) the easier it is to approach a current colleague or supervisor and say, "I would have no interest in leaving for a comparable position elsewhere, but this is a unique opportunity . . ."

I don't think I agree with lifer. Again, every situation is different. But it doesn't have to be destructive of your relationship with current colleagues, and not providing references when they are specifically required could kill your chances of getting the new position.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

AC, if I may ask, is it a government or private sector position? In my experience (quite recent in fact, today's my last day at my firm) the potential employer often will agree to hold off on contacting references until the point at which they are the last hurdle in the process. Otherwise, I think it depends a lot on your relationship with your supervisors and with the firm in general. Obviously, the more different the position is from what you're doing (e.g., it's a public sector job) the easier it is to approach a current colleague or supervisor and say, "I would have no interest in leaving for a comparable position elsewhere, but this is a unique opportunity . . ."

I don't think I agree with lifer. Again, every situation is different. But it doesn't have to be destructive of your relationship with current colleagues, and not providing references when they are specifically required could kill your chances of getting the new position.

Oops, just read your post. For some reason I thought you were currently in private practice. It's not unusual, in my experience, for government attorneys to consider other opportunities, and most supervisors are likely to understand the reasons for that. Depending on where the new opportunity is, is there an opportunity to raise directly with them the issue of when references are to be provided or contacted?

Good luck, by the way.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by Ambulance Chaser

I know two criminal defendants who I kept in prison who can attest to my legal acumen.

Not exactly an endorsement if you're now working on the other side of the fence.

GL.

 

[RJman]

Are you going private? Heeding the call of Mammon???