Asking the boss for a reference

Today, most job seekers give the new company the names of their referees and let the company contact them. It is less common to carry general letters of reference for passing on to any possible future employers. 

Always ask the person beforehand if you can use him or her as a referee. How you go about asking depends on the situation.

Scenario one

You’ve worked for a long time for Company X and are leaving to go back to study.  Say something like:

 “If I need a reference in future, would it be all right to give your name?”

Scenario two

You haven’t worked for Company X for long. You never felt happy there, so now you’re moving on. Say something like: 

 “Do you think you’ve known me long enough that you’d be able to give me a reference?”

Scenario three

You left Company X a couple of years ago. You have not had a job since and so must contact them again for a reference for your new employer.

Email or phone first to check if the person you worked for is still there. If not, then go for someone in a supervisory job who remembers you. Avoid, of course, anyone you did not get on with!

Start off the phone conversation with small talk. Ask how the company or department is doing. Ask who has left. Mention what you yourself have been doing. Then say:

“I’m going for a job as a XXX at XXX (the company). I wondered if I could give your name for a reference?”

Scenario four

The hard one! You are leaving Company X because you did not get on very well with your boss. You think you did your work well, but worry in case the boss gives you an unfair reference.

As a rule, try not ask anyone from this company for a reference. If you have no choice, try to ask a person who is on a level above your boss.

If this is not possible, maybe because it is a small company, then be honest with the boss. Say something like:

“I know we’ve had personality clashes in the past, but do you think you could provide a reference for me as a worker, if I need one?” 

Your past boss is not legally obliged to give you a reference, although it is rare for anyone to refuse. However, you should remember that any reference must be accurate and true.

Useful websites

http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/recruitmen/references/references.htm?IsSrchRes=1

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Career_FAQs/p!ecajF