Talk to me about job references

[riverwed070707]

When your professional experience is limited to one job, how do you go about finding references for a new job when you're still currently employeed by/working with everyone who would be able to attest to your professional greatness?

I work with and for several departments in my company and can think of a handful of people who are well-known, higher ups who would provide stellar recommendations for me...if I weren't still working for them. It's not to say that they wouldn't but I guess my concern lies in what happens if they get called for a reference and then I don't get the job and then my colleagues know I'm job hunting? Seems that would be awkward, especially if they were company executives.

While I could certainly come up with a few personal references, no one outside of my company would be able to provide as convincing of a recommendation. What does one do in this situation?

[guyinva]

One thing to consider is why you are leaving in the first place. List the reasons and it may be a good idea to talk to someone about this. They may be able to work something out with you. In my experience it can be very surprising how hard they will work to keep you. If it is something completely out of their control it may be better to be honest and tell them. They may understand and be happy to help you as best they can. Any manager knows that people come and go, the bad ones and the good ones. They may not be happy about it, but you being honest with them may work out in your favor.

[Gary Barzel]

You should start networking and interacting with customers, vendors, business associates, and everyone else you come into contact with in a daily basis. You'd be surprised at how far that can get you, aside from the actual reference, but sometimes job opportunities stem from these relationships that you build up.

[riverwed070707]

One thing to consider is why you are leaving in the first place. List the reasons and it may be a good idea to talk to someone about this. They may be able to work something out with you. In my experience it can be very surprising how hard they will work to keep you. If it is something completely out of their control it may be better to be honest and tell them. They may understand and be happy to help you as best they can. Any manager knows that people come and go, the bad ones and the good ones. They may not be happy about it, but you being honest with them may work out in your favor.

They are not reasons that I would be able to discuss with co-workers of that level. Put simply, I wasn't really looking for jobs but I do want to advance my career and it isn't happening where I'm at despite taking all the necessary steps. An opportunity came up and I'd like to jump at it...and thats when it occurred ot me that if they ask for references I don't know what to say. I don't mean to imply I would be leaving my job on bad terms, just that it isn't exactly the type of thing you discuss with senior level management before securing the job.

[riverwed070707]

You should start networking and interacting with customers, vendors, business associates, and everyone else you come into contact with in a daily basis. You'd be surprised at how far that can get you, aside from the actual reference, but sometimes job opportunities stem from these relationships that you build up.

Good tips. I do work with a lot of external vendors so this may be a great resource for me.

[krantcents]

Be careful who you talk to because their loyalty will not be to you! I would network with people in your industry whether you were looking to change or not. It is always a plus and many times jobs will come to you. Good luck.

[sandrark]

One way to do it is to ask those people with whom you've worked on special projects to write you a letter of commendation for the project for your personnel file. You can use those sorts of letters as references, when applying.

If you get an interview, or make it to the finalist position, then you call them up and tell them that you're including their note about XX project in your portfolio, and are they willing to serve as a responsive referral? The answer is almost always YES.

Good luck!

Sandi

[Krazykat]

Do you have any educational references, such as college professors?

[snafu]

It's considered polite to ask a reference for permission to offer their name. I suggest you explain you've been asked...or 'it was suggested' that you apply for the position of __________. Tell the individual you would like permission to use them as reference. Often it's appropriate to offer a colleague/co worker, someone who ranks below you, and someone above as references.