Finding references

Dear Bob …

If you’ve covered this topic before, please let me know where.

I recently decided that it would be in my best interest to leave my current employer, but not before obtaining employment elsewhere.  In the process of putting together my resume, I find myself at a loss when trying to identify good references.  I’ve been with this company for a number of years, and most of the best candidates for testifying about my abilities and competence are either employees of the company or employees of a firm that has close ties with my company and with my boss’s other businesses.  I know that my boss would be very unhappy if he knew I was looking for new employment, and I would prefer to leave on my terms, not his.

How do you recommend handling this situation?

– Referring To You

Dear Referring …

This is a common challenge for non-job-hopping professionals. There’s no perfect answer. The challenge isn’t insurmountable, though. Here’s what you can do:

•  If any co-workers have left your company in the last few years, they can serve as references and asking for their discretion won’t be an imposition.

• If any current co-workers are close enough friends that you can trust their discretion, you can go ahead and ask them as well, letting prospective employers know that they should make contact using home telephone numbers, and only after hours.

• If you’ve worked with the employees of outside vendors, they’d be fine choices, too.

• Personal friends can serve as “character witnesses” – not a complete solution, but one that can complement the previous three.

And of course, contact anyone you’re thinking of using as a reference before you provide their name to a prospective employer, and be clear about the need for them to be discreet.

If you can’t come up with three names from among the people you work with, have worked with, and know you well, there’s something going on that should cause you more concern.

– Bob