Is this awful or ok?

[Poohgirl]

I am the financial controller for our small company and work side by side with the president. We have been the only two in this particular office for 2.5 years. Ive been with the company for 10. I feel he is sinking it and its time for me to get out. I have an interview next week but Im having a hard time getting references. This has been my only job out of college, started entry level. Have always worked for the pres.

I asked him to write me a letter of recommendation stating my financial analysis abilities etc. under the premise that I was interested in joining a volunteer finance committee. He said sure. I have two other references - one former finance co-worker for a verbal reference and Im going to get one for from a side consulting job.

So am I really awful to use my boss's reference or is a reference a reference? I need something for current ability.

 

[jcsbama]

If I read this right, you tricked him into writing that reference. There is no way I would use it. A future employer may call to talk to him thinking he knows you're leaving since he wrote a reference. That is very deceitful and would definately hurt your chances of finding future employment.

 

[Spoisal]

The company that you are going to interview for does not expect you to have a reference from your current employer. I would not submit the reference from the President. What happens if he gets a call asking about you? You could lose both jobs! You can easily explain that this was your first job out of college - I think it is awesome that you have been at the same company for 10 years - that will count for something. Get some personal references as well. Good luck!

 

[Cool-Beans]

The company that you are going to interview for does not expect you to have a reference from your current employer. I would not submit the reference from the President...
...Good luck!

Ditto.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would not use it, either.

I am in almost the same boat as you, and I have been offered one job, and I am pretty sure about toe offered another one. I explained to the firms that my employer is not aware that I am looking for another job, and that I would rather they not contact them. The people doing the interviews/hiring totally understand, and have not gone against my wishes. I have two references - one from a CPA at a company I had worked closely with over the years, and one from a person at our company (not my supervisor) who I had worked with here.

The day of my second interview, both references were contacted, so I would be afraid that the prospective employer would want to talk to your boss, and then you would be exposed.

Good luck to you.

Denae

 

[hlbtimes2]

I agree with the others. I wouldnt use it. Unless you are honest with them about it. Tell them that it is from your boss, he doesnt know you are looking for employment, and the letter was written for a volunteer position. Make it clear that you dont want him contacted.

I'm in a simular situation right now. I'm looking for a job. Its a small company. I've been the only office employee for 7 years. I've been using an old co-worker for a reference for this job.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Another vote here that says not to use it for all of the reasons already stated.

Kimya

 

[barkley]

do you have a copy of your last work performance evaluation? we often took those from folks in this situation.

just as an aside-i hope you are taking a personal day or vacation day off for the interview. i was on an interview panel and when the current employer of a candidate was called to get a reference for an interview conducted earlier in the day they were livid when they found out the employee was interviewing-not because they were trying to get another job-because they had called in sick to cover for the day off. heard employee got fired, and then our hr would'nt hire because they felt it showed deceptiveness on the candidates part and a willingness to falsify a timecard.

 

[golfgal]

Why would you need the references up front. Most companies don't take those until they are in the final candidate stage and they most often they call whom ever it is for a reference. I think you also need to be upfront with your boss, tell him you are putting together a resume and want to know if you can list him as a reference.

 

[Poohgirl]

If I read this right, you tricked him into writing that reference. There is no way I would use it. A future employer may call to talk to him thinking he knows you're leaving since he wrote a reference. That is very deceitful and would definately hurt your chances of finding future employment.

No, the committee is real, I just don't know if I could use the reference AGAIN for the interview.

 

[bubie2.5]

No, the committee is real, I just don't know if I could use the reference AGAIN for the interview.

I'm with Spoisal on this one. Don't use it.

 

[Poohgirl]

Thanks for the replies. I do feel uneasy about using his reference. He doesn't do evaluations, so I don't have that. I guess I will just go with a former co-worker and another one I had and hope for the best. Thanks again.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would only use the two references that you have that know what they are being used as a reference for. If at the last minute you need another reference or you would lose the job, they use the one from the president.