Salary Expectations ahead of Reference Check?

[cbrunny]

Hi all - I am not sure what to do here.

I had a job interview across the country earlier this month. It's a big step up from what I'm currently doing, and would be a good career move. I had a similar job interview at the organization I'm currently with shortly after. Same deal, step up, good career move.

My current manager is aware of the interview at my current organization and is supportive of the move. She does not know about the job across the country. She has agreed to be a reference for the job here but I've not approached her for the job across the country. They are now asking for references.

Here's my bind: the job across the country would only be viable under certain financial/compensation conditions. Is it appropriate to hold off on providing references and instead ask for compensation information? I don't know if they will be willing to provide compensation to the extent I would need to be comfortable making that move. If they can't, I'd just as soon hold off on approaching my current employer to be a reference and decline the job.

Important part bolded.

Thanks!

 

[corwin]

You could just use other references you know...

 

[Lava_Fish]

Hi all - I am not sure what to do here.

I had a job interview across the country earlier this month. It's a big step up from what I'm currently doing, and would be a good career move. I had a similar job interview at the organization I'm currently with shortly after. Same deal, step up, good career move.

My current manager is aware of the interview at my current organization and is supportive of the move. She does not know about the job across the country. She has agreed to be a reference for the job here but I've not approached her for the job across the country. They are now asking for references.

Here's my bind: the job across the country would only be viable under certain financial/compensation conditions. Is it appropriate to hold off on providing references and instead ask for compensation information? I don't know if they will be willing to provide compensation to the extent I would need to be comfortable making that move. If they can't, I'd just as soon hold off on approaching my current employer to be a reference and decline the job.

Important part bolded.

Thanks!

In the future, you should have your references lined up before you even go to the interview.

Any kind of negotiation you now do with your prospective employer to 'release your references' would go awkward at best.

You need to give them your references. You need to discover compensation information. You should not link these two things.

If you get along well with your boss, you can ask her to be a reference. It will be awkward because it is likely some at your current company would view you negatively for going on an interview 'for us' and then not valuing the opportunity they wasted their time offering you.

It is more likely that you would be better off finding other references in the short term. Coworkers, managers of other groups, possibly customers, there are a lot of people that could be references.

If you absolutely have to list your current manager, most places will understand if you don't want them to contact your current manager for obvious reasons.

 

[rudeguy]

You could just use other references you know...

Uh huh.

I have 5 former bosses that I can provide their name, phone number and email address at any time. You know...just in case.

 

[cbrunny]

Uh huh.

I have 5 former bosses that I can provide their name, phone number and email address at any time. You know...just in case.

Unfortunately I haven't had enough job experience to be in this position. Any jobs I've had before the current job do not relate to the tasks I'd be assigned at the new jobs. As well, they were credentials-ago (that is, pre-Masters).

 

[purbeast0]

just tell them you can give them references, but not to contact them until you have accepted a job with them.

if they don't understand this concept, then it's not a company you want to work for.

 

[vi edit]

Uh huh. I have 5 former bosses that I can provide their name, phone number and email address at any time. You know...just in case.

Not all of us have that luxury. I've been with the same place for close to 10 years and all of my relevant working references for a future job would come from someone within my current employer. I can't even tell you what state some of my former bosses live in now let alone track them down unless they happen to be on Linked In.

 

[smackababy]

Don't most places ask if they can contact your current employer? I would think if they don't understand that concept, it wouldn't be a company I'd want to work for.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I would want to know before allowing them to contact my employer. Actually, I wouldn't want them to contact my employer until they sent me a contract to sign.

 

[rudeguy]

Not all of us have that luxury. I've been with the same place for close to 10 years and all of my relevant working references for a future job would come from someone within my current employer. I can't even tell you what state some of my former bosses live in now let alone track them down unless they happen to be on Linked In.

I understand that. I tend to keep in contact with my former bosses for networking purposes. If they have a position come up that I might be good for, I want them to think of me. Plus a lot of them are really great people. Its so weird talking to someone that used to be your boss and finding out how awesome they are even though they never showed it at work.

That is one thing that facebook is actually good for. I never log in anymore, but its great for connecting to previous coworkers and bosses. Last time I needed references I started a group message with a few of my former bosses asking if it was ok to use them. The conversation spiraled downward into a conversation about puppies, midgets and spinners :awe:

 

[phucheneh]

I would never have someone contact someone I'm currently employed with. People are childish and hold grudges...I avoid giving them the opportunity. E.g. don't want to find yourself ending up staying there and then being the first one axed next time money is tight because 'that asshole was already looking, anyway.'

On an official application, I would check the 'don't contact current employer' box and note why. Seems perfectly acceptable to me. For 'official' references on a resume or app, I would list other employers; not your current.

It's all about being communicative and tactful...and don't confuse the definition of 'tactful' with, like...'tactical.' Strategize if you must, but do it in a why that doesn't make you come off as a douche. Being open and sharing the concern expressed here is probably going to be more accepted than trying to use what should be freely-available info as a bargaining chip.

 

[Evadman]

Don't most places ask if they can contact your current employer? I would think if they don't understand that concept, it wouldn't be a company I'd want to work for.

This.

 

[KlokWyze]

Not getting references from your current employer is quite understandable. Anyone that is reasonable understands that there are unreasonable people out there that will never allow employees to leave them in a graceful manner. This is why there is the status quo question: "May we contact your current employer?"

 

[cbrunny]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I've decided to accept the job at my current organization instead of the job across the country, making this question moot.

Thanks!