How recent should be your References on your resume. If you have been working for a company for three/five years and then you want to switch…You certainly don’t want people calling your immediate boss for it.
How do you quit without burning bridges? What if you don’t like the new place? Ideas, comments, suggestions.
Hmmm, that's an interesting question. Let me take a stab at it.
I guess it depends on circumstances. Never destroy bridges though. If I was to go back to my previous consulting company I think I'd be able to. So, what happened was I was totally sick & tired for begging for raises and the political BS of my old boss (I hope to god he's not reading this :-)). So I approached one of my clients and got them excited about having inhouse IT staff. Then I informed my old boss that I'm resigning due to the long commute and difference in mindsets, gave them a month notice. He actually paid me for 1 week extra (and this from a guy who would steal from his mother). So 2 days before D-day I tell him that market is tough and cuz of that I'm going to approach some clients. Man, you should've seen his face. He's like I'm going to sue you and the company that hires you. So I sit him down and sell him on the idea that it will be beneficial for both me and him if I did that cuz I can't do everything in this field and so would need his help and I could also release some outstanding projects that have just been sitting there for months. After that "sell" (of which I was very proud of) both the companies negotiated and settled on an amount to release me and the new company from contractual obligations (I was actually impressed as to how much my current company paid him).
So, the moral of the story: Handle it with kid-gloves and you will come out on top. As for references, first secure the new position (tell them you can get the current boss's reference before you will start working) then give your notice to the current boss and tell him (ask him?) that you'd be giving out his reference. Shouldn't be a problem. If you don't like the new place eat it up and stay till you find another job. Unless ofcourse you can stay with your parents. ;)
I dont think the references need to be recent at all. Its all a matter of your persepective. if you cant anyone in the firm know that you are looking then use your previous references. Otherwise use your colleagues (the ones you trust) at your current job instead of your boss. Most people understand that a person may not neccessarily want their boss learning about them looking for a new job.
Tofibaba, thanks for the advice. I suppose you are saying one should secure the position and then ask the immediate boss to expect a call for reference ..hmm normally people check your references before giving you a final call or negotiate salary after all formalities are done..at least that’s what I have experienced. In that case it might get a little tricky.
Hmcq, should it be about my perspective or the employer's? Once I was asked specifically by an HR person to give contacts of people to whom I've reported directly in the past.
hmm so you think old references are fine..I guess we dont have a choice.
Boss It really depends. In the past I have been burnt by bosses giving me a bad rap cause I was leaving so since then I have been very careful. Right now my bosses are very open about giving references so I am completely comfortable with them. However, in other places I have used older references or collegues rather then direct reports and when asked about it I have said that as my Boss does not know I am looking for new opportunities I would prefer that you contact my previous direct report or my team/colleagues. Most often then not HR would understand as long as you can give a good reason for changing employment.
Sometimes if they are really insistent then you need to talk to your boss and let them know. The only thing worse then using a Boss is using a reference when they dont know they were acting as your reference :).