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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 1/31/2008
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Location: Akron, Ohio
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I have a question regarding the notification of one's references. At what stage in the job search process should one notify references? If I am applying for dozens of job at a time, I doubt my references want to be inundated with all the job descriptions, my cover letter etc. at one time.
I ask this because there was as particular job that I applied for that called my references two days after the closing date for job applications. At this point, I had not even received a call for an interview, and so didn't find it necessary to notify references. Needless to say, my references were taken by surprise, and it ended up making me look bad.
What do you think?
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: Edmonton
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When I have given references, the people usually sent me a message right after the interview (as in, walked out the door, found a terminal and sent me a message) or they alerted me that they were looking, before or when they started their first applications.
Some human resource offices treat the references as an initial screening tool so you should be aware that the minute your resume and cover letter is in their hands that they may be calling your references and/or your current employer for a reference if their local privacy laws will allow them to do so.
Do you have to tell them as soon as you start looking? No, but if you don't tell them, they can't be on the lookout for jobs that people pass on to them, they find while surfing or if something comes up in their organization that would suit you.
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: New York City
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I'm surprised they called your references before letting you know in any way that you were in the running. That strikes me as careless or sneaky, and not a bad reflection on you. I've hardly ever applied for a job that even asked for the references before the interview.
But I'm also surprised that you're applying to dozens of jobs, if you meant that literally. Are there really that many prospects? I live in the largest city in the country, and never found more than one likely looking job to apply for every week or two. If you don't want your references to feel overwhelmed with job descriptions, etc., you might also want to pull in your net a bit.
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: Akron, Ohio
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In regards to Emily's response, I unfortunately meant 'dozens' literally. I completed my M.L.S. in July 2005, with my only experience being a practicum. I realized too late that having the experience before gaining the M.L.S. was crucial, as I now either look overqualified or underexperienced! I have the flexibility to move anywhere, so I scour as many library listings as possible, and the moment something looks good, fits my qualifications and experience, and seems like a good fit, I apply.
I feel like the more time passes between gaining my M.L.S., and securing that first professional position, the worse off I am. It is a tricky situation, and one I wish I could change.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
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Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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Emily wrote:I've hardly ever applied for a job that even asked for the references before the interview. I have heard more and more people saying that references are being called up front now. I do not know if it is a product of people being lawsuit happy, more people jumping from organization to organization quicker now, too many candidates, or too many stretches of the truth in application materials.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
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Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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jmorton wrote:At what stage in the job search process should one notify references? If I am applying for dozens of job at a time, I doubt my references want to be inundated with all the job descriptions, my cover letter etc. at one time. When I was looking 3 years ago, I worked for an employer that knew I was looking and encouraged me to move on as they had no promotions to offer after completing me degree. As a result, I kept my references very informed of my progress up front as I applied. Of course, I was applying for a much smaller number of jobs as I was staying close to home. It may have only been 5 or 6 in a 2-3 month period.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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