Who do I list as references on a job application?

[alarimer]

Nowadays they are all asking for at least three personal references. I don't have many friends and my last job was 10 years ago. My current colleagues would give me a good reference I think, but they all have the same office phone number. Would that look too funny to a prospective employer? I am not sure they even usually call the references.

[PeaceNikki]

1. Are you sure they want personal references and not professional references?

I would A) find 3 folks in both categories that are willing to serve as such and B) get personal phone numbers for each. I've found that there are PLENTY of places that do, in fact check these. In my experience, most do. My current employer held off in making an offer pending ONE of the 3 that they had a hard time contacting.

[alarimer]

2. I have to fill out the application today

because it has to be there by Friday. I would prefer not to use personal phone numbers. I think that's a bad idea, especially since, with such a shot time frame, I can't ask them. Work numbers are better. I would be pissed if someone gave out my home number, even if they asked me first.

They are asking for the names, phone numbers and relationship of three people not related to me who know my qualifications, which is basically only the people I work with.

Maybe I should only apply with places that don't need references.

[PeaceNikki]

3. Hmm. Well, I would still try to get them to agree ahead of time to serve as a reference and ask what

contact number they prefer to be used. I'd be pissed if someone called me for a reference at any number and didn't give me a heads-up. It can be touchy if it's your current employer and they don't know you're job hunting. I don't see a problem with using 3 people from same company. Especially if that's where your experience has been.

[alarimer]

5. Well I could send it tomorrow and use Fedex or something

That might work. My boss and probably everyone at work know that I am looking. I am at the end of my career ladder and basically in a dead-end job so they understand. I apply for a lot of internal vacancies but this one is not.

[PeaceNikki]

7. By the way... good luck!!

I just envision sitting at my desk, with a boss in earshot, getting an unexpected call for a reference on a co-worker that I didn't know was looking. Could be awkward. Giving them a heads-up and even discussing the position that you are seeking (and the desired skill-set) can prove invaluable.

That's why I stay in touch with a few folks from some of my previous employers. We all reciprocate with this type of request.

[NMDemDist2]

4. personal references

they are looking for people OUTSIDE your work

church, volunteer groups, play date mothers etc etc

:shrug:

[alarimer]

6. well I don't have any

I don't volunteer for anything and I basically have no close friends. But they specifically asked for people that know my qualifications, which wouldn't be my friends anyway.

To me, I always take this to mean professional references. My personal life or lack thereof is none of their goddamn business.

[TZ]

10. I am job hunting

I get asked for 3 professional references, with the emphasis on someone who has supervised you. Can you include e-mail addresses? I get asked for them all the time too. And it would look better than the one phone number perhaps.

[bridgit]

8. 3 personal, 3 professional...

be prepared to offer a couple more & sure that they will give up-beat responses ;)

[Corgigal]

9. I have the same problem

I just write down, reference available upon request. I don't want others personal info just sitting around on someone's desk. If they call me in for an interview, then I will bring that in.

[alarimer]

11. This was on the application so I guess I will put something

I just hate this though. People who for whatever reason don't have a lot of close friends/ non-relatives are kind of screwed in this world when they look for a job.

[grasswire]

12. got any good friends on DU?

There's no reason why someone you have known for a long time on the Internet can't serve as a personal reference. Is there?

[alarimer]

13. But whoever it is has to know my qualifications for the job in question

which I think would leave out anyone here. And pretty much anyone else I know besides work people or former bosses or something. So I guess I have decided just to put people from work. Too bad if that's not good enough. It's the best I can do. I don't really have a long work history; I have been here for a long time.