Present Employer Contact Details - May we contact your present employer?

[Cognizant]

Hi Folks,
Thank you very much for answering all my queries.I did a pretty good job in the Interview.

one more query here...

Is it good to check the box ( May we contact your present employer ) in filling out the job application form.

The reason why I am asking is my boss (first reference out of 4) won't be happy if he knew that I'll be leaving the present company, so I am not sure whether he can be a bad reference or good reference.......

If it is a bad reference ..will that effect my job offer.......

Please Advice
Thanks
Moderator comment:
This is a thread bump. As a moderator, I have noticed a lot of Cove members and guests have been accessing this old thread in recent weeks.

Please note we have an additional thread on the topic of references, added since this thread was begun.
The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references

[Laura M]

I've seen bosses support folks and give positive recommendations and I've also seen bosses let go someone when they knew someone was looking because of the reference check. I think it depends on the nature of your relationship with your boss, his interest in your success and whether that can occur at your current company. And yes, I've seen good folks get screwed by a bad reference. Unfortunately the boss thought they were doing their company a favor, but a disgruntled employee is not necessarily an asset.

As a consultant, I often find folks confiding in me on this kind of stuff- outside my normal consulting role. I guess I am the unbiased party that folks feel comfortable with. I;ve seen it work both ways. It depends on if you think your boss is more interested in your succes or the current company. I never held any of my folks back if they thought the outside world had a better opportunity. On the other hand, I've never been in your position either.

[Wes Bucey]

In my opinion, any job candidate would be foolish to give a reference UNLESS

• he was absolutely sure of what the reference would say
• the reference would be positive
  and
• the reference had agreed beforehand to be a reference.

Seems to me agreeing to let someone contact your present boss violates those principles.

[Cognizant]

In Reply to Parent Post by Laura M

I've seen bosses support folks and give positive recommendations and I've also seen bosses let go someone when they knew someone was looking because of the reference check. I think it depends on the nature of your relationship with your boss, his interest in your success and whether that can occur at your current company. And yes, I've seen good folks get screwed by a bad reference. Unfortunately the boss thought they were doing their company a favor, but a disgruntled employee is not necessarily an asset.

As a consultant, I often find folks confiding in me on this kind of stuff- outside my normal consulting role. I guess I am the unbiased party that folks feel comfortable with. I;ve seen it work both ways. It depends on if you think your boss is more interested in your succes or the current company. I never held any of my folks back if they thought the outside world had a better opportunity. On the other hand, I've never been in your position either.

What u suggest laura.. Can I email the key person responsible for hiring for the new job abt my situation in my present company.....My boss at present company is very good boss but he would'nt be happy if i leave because I do all the work for him. This company is family owned business his brother is the president of the company ..he wont be happy either......

[Cognizant]

In Reply to Parent Post by Wes Bucey

In my opinion, any job candidate would be foolish to give a reference UNLESS

• he was absolutely sure of what the reference would say
• the reference would be positive
  and
• the reference had agreed beforehand to be a reference.

Seems to me agreeing to let someone contact your present boss violates those principles.

Can I email the key person responsible for hiring for the new job abt my situation in my present company.....My boss at present company is very good boss but he would'nt be happy if i leave because I do all the work for him. This company is family owned business my present boss's brother is the president of the company ..he wont be happy either......

Please advice Mr. Bucey I'd really appreciate it.....

[Cognizant]

Thanks for the response...What u suggest Guys.. Can I email the key person responsible for hiring for the new job abt my situation in my present company.....My boss at present company is very good boss but he would'nt be happy if i leave because I do all the work for him and he will be doing it if i leave. This company is family owned business his brother is the president of the company ..he wont be happy either......

I did mistake1 by checking the box "may we contact ur employer"
mistake 2: I shud'nt have gave my Boss name and phone no:

situation is I am a Good worker but my present boss wont let me go because he has to do all the work by himselves.....this might lead him to tell bad abt me....

[Cognizant]

Can I resubmit( fax) the application form indicating updated application form....

[tomvehoski]

My understanding has always been that, in a legal sense, your company can only confirm that you work(ed) there and the dates. Giving any opinion on your performance, personal data, etc. would open them up to a lawsuit if you did not get the job and could place blame on them. I have had previous bosses bend that rule but those were good reviews and non-current jobs.

I do have one former job that did not end well on either side. When I applied for jobs down the road, I listed them but made sure I explained the situation to the recruiter. Apparently one recruiter did call, and all the owner said was "I would prefer not to say anthing about him" and hung up. It did not impact being called for a second interview, but the job was not a good fit.

My previous two jobs were for consulting firms, so for my last job search a couple years ago I used my clients as references. They knew my work much better than my employer anyway. You might want to think about outside references like this, suppliers, customers, etc.