References before an interview? :(

[A1400]

I recently applied for part time job in hospitality (I’m currently in the same field it’s just a little less intense than the job I applied for but quite similar in small bits but anyways) and I got a reply quite fast and then I filled out a bit more stuff on their employing forms or whatever and I’m applying for jobs to see what there is and turns out they’ve already contacted my current employer for a reference. I haven’t had my interview yet and after a few Google searches this doesn’t seem very professional of the place to contact my current job for reference.

Safe to say, I’m stressed because my manager now knows I’m applying for jobs when I just want to SEE and that I don’t know if this reflects on the “future” employer that they contacted my current work for a reference before my interview.

Can someone give me their thoughts/opinions/advice? 🥲 I’ve only ever had two little part time jobs including the one I have now.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

I don't have a massive amount of experience in this area but when I got my current job, references were checked after I'd been offered the position. So I got the job offer in writing but it made the caveat that it was preliminary until references had been checked and not to hand in my resignation yet. So I don't think the way your potential employers are going about things is the norm.

 

[Impinger]

Usually a prospective employer will ask for your permission if they want to contact your current employer for a reference upfront ie before you've even been interviewed. Have you accidently given your consent to that in the forms you've submitted to them?

 

[They See Me Trolling...]

Any interview I have had, the application form asks if they can contact prior to interview

 

[Fizzwhizz2020]

I’ve never had a request for a reference prior to interview. It’s very unprofessional unless you have agreed to it as you wouldn’t want your current employer to know you’re looking at a new job. I’ve never heard of that before. I’m in a different field altogether, but I wouldn’t think it was the done thing. It’s an interview, you might not even want the job

 

[Kim Mild]

I don't put my references on my cv or application , I put references available upon request. I suppose they could go behind my back and contact my current workplace anyway.

 

[Wowsthatshizzle]

That is terrible. I’ve interviewed a lot of staff in my time and gone for interviews myself in hospitality and that has never happened. I agree you should probably take names off and say available upon request.

 

[Meh]

Yep, always put “reference details available on request” that way if they want to check beforehand you at least get the opportunity to speak to your manager. Simply doing a bit of “fishing” for the future in your industry isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

If you have an okay/decent relationship with your line manager/boss maybe just ask them if they received it? And then explain you’re just dipping your toe back in the water, not desperately looking to leave or unhappy etc. You don’t need to do this but if it gives you peace of mind and doesn’t lead to unnecessary fretting.

 

[blossombloss]

I recently applied for part time job in hospitality (I’m currently in the same field it’s just a little less intense than the job I applied for but quite similar in small bits but anyways) and I got a reply quite fast and then I filled out a bit more stuff on their employing forms or whatever and I’m applying for jobs to see what there is and turns out they’ve already contacted my current employer for a reference. I haven’t had my interview yet and after a few Google searches this doesn’t seem very professional of the place to contact my current job for reference.

Safe to say, I’m stressed because my manager now knows I’m applying for jobs when I just want to SEE and that I don’t know if this reflects on the “future” employer that they contacted my current work for a reference before my interview.

Can someone give me their thoughts/opinions/advice? 🥲 I’ve only ever had two little part time jobs including the one I have now.

I'm sure they are supposed to ask you! Typically it will have a box in the reference section asking if it's okay to contact them prior to an interview. I don't think they can just go ahead and do that!!