How many "professional references" do employers need? (employment, applying, interview)

[Dingler]

I have worked the same job now for seven years and it is time to move on. I interviewed at a few places last year but did not get hired because I did not have enough references. I only had two people I felt comfortable using. One person was an old boss at my current employer and one was someone who use to work with me at my last job that I have kept in touch with for almost ten years. I am not comfortable telling anyone at my current job that I am looking and thus have no references from anyone who currently works at my current employer.

In my last job search last year, I was told that I needed at least four professional references and at least two of them would be someone who acted as my supervisor. I thought that was a hard and very tough requirement.

Please tell us your experience with professional references during a recent job search. How many were required and were they all called? What type of unusual references did you get away with? Maybe someone who worked with you in a volunteer assignment, part time job, in a church committee, or involved with in a professional association. I am desparate for professional reference ideas.

[ontheroad]

I've always asked at interview time for 3 professional references. References that did not include a past employer, or a direct supervisor, are generally considered suspect.

Occasionally, I'd ask for a personal reference and might offset one of the three professional references.

Unusual, however you define that, doesn't sit well with me unless they were applying for an "unusual" job!

[ellie]

That brings up a question. Should he broach the subject to a supervisor at his current job? He's going to have to give notice at some point.

What's the protocol?

[ontheroad]

Protocol? If the applicant is presently working and hasn't given some notice or indication of leaving, generally employers accept another reliable source (a colleague, someone else's supervisor at the organization) or another reference from a previous place of employment. It is a balance between getting good references and not jeopardizing someone's current position.

Also, I've never called a reference unless I was offering someone a job--and they accepted, so to some exact the issue was mote.

[Racelady88]

I give 2 professional and 2 personal references. I have never been asked for more than that.

[gardener34]

Always 3 personal (not relatives) or professional references. Although I always gave them out and they were NEVER EVER called in any interview, whether or not I got the jobs or not. Waste of time.
I could imagine in certain fields that references are looked upon differently and more importantly than in other professions.

[cassy1]

I have 3 professional references on my resume, and have never been asked for anything more. All 3 are people that I have worked for, but would a "customer or client" be considered professional because they met you in a working situation?

If you don't want your company to know that you are looking right now, could you ask that they not be called unless you are going to be offered the job?

[christina0001]

I usually get asked for 3. Remember that professional references don't have to be people within your company...if your job involves working with another office, agency, or entity, someone from that place might serve as a professional reference. I think using a customer or client as a reference is questionable, depending on the field you are in. For example, if you are a nurse, it's probably not right to ask your sick patient to give you a reference. The patient might feel obligated to give a good reference or risk being maltreated. Ditto the above post; often a prospective employer will agree to not call your current supervisor until they are ready to offer you the job, at which point if you are serious about taking the job offer, you need to tell your supervisor.

[mainebrokerman]

i only use references if i have reservations about the applicant,,that the resume/interview fit with the applicant.

references can be very biased, and by law even if i did call a previous employer there are laws applied to what can and cant be said about the applicant.
i dont understand, them wanting your present supervisors reference unless it is a job under the same corporate umbrella.

[callsnap]

Originally Posted by Dingler

In my last job search last year, I was told that I needed at least four professional references and at least two of them would be someone who acted as my supervisor. I thought that was a hard and very tough requirement.

Four references is pretty standard in my experience. It is more of a challenge if you don't trust many people at your current employer. The most I’ve ever had to submit was five.

Originally Posted by Dingler

Please tell us your experience with professional references during a recent job search. How many were required and were they all called? What type of unusual references did you get away with? Maybe someone who worked with you in a volunteer assignment, part time job, in a church committee, or involved with in a professional association. I am desparate for professional reference ideas.

First, I wouldn't use any references that you don't completely trust to represent you in the best light. Second, I would inform as few persons as possible at work that you are "looking". Even those with your best interests at heart can inadvertently spread the word.
I think you are on the right track with a supervisor or organizer of a volunteer project, or at a part time job. Acquaintances in your profession who don't work at your company can attest to your professional skill set and good conduct. Coming from a public accounting background, I've used friends and more senior references in the industry that happen to work at different firms, in order to avoid using references at my current employer. I'd steer clear of the church committee angle as I might unwittingly open myself up to religious persecution. Your best bet is to screen the potential references yourself to ensure you're comfortable and in agreement with their impression of you. Especially if considerable time has passed since you’ve worked with these people.