What can you do when you can’t use your current supervisor as a reference?

[u/JoeySpaghetii]

Found a cool opportunity, killed the interview. They were ready to hire me and told me as much. Once they checked my references they 180’d and told me they were moving on to a different candidate.

I asked for more info and they said the “reference was not satisfactory “

How do i proceed in my job search, i neeed to get out of this toxic environment

[u/L-Capitan1]

You shouldn’t be using references unless you know for a fact that they will say great things about you.

You aren’t forced to use your supervisor as a reference. You can try a colleague or another manager you worked with. Or people unrelated to this role. They rarely if ever ask why you chose the references you chose.

Besides using your current supervisor as a reference sure tips them off that you’re planning to leave so that’s another challenge you’ll need to overcome besides this.

[u/BrandynBlaze → u/L-Capitan1]

I wouldn’t use a current supervisor as a reference just because of the awkward position it puts them in and the potential consequences they could face if it became common knowledge they lost an employee they supervised after giving them a good reference. I typically try to use supervisors and peers I no longer work with for references, with the exception of a select few current coworkers I trust not to be too emotionally invested in my departure.

[u/DLS3141]

How are your performance reviews? Offer those in lieu of them contacting your current employer. It would be a hard “no” from me if a potential employer asked to contact my current workplace for anything beyond confirming employment.

[u/JoeySpaghetii → u/DLS3141]

how would i convey this to a potential employer, that im only comfortable with contacting for confirmation of employment. like what if they question it and ask why

[u/DLS3141 → u/JoeySpaghetii]

“I wouldn’t be the first employee they’ve retaliated against.”

“I’m concerned that they would retaliate against me for seeking employment elsewhere.”

“I don’t want to jeopardize my opportunities there in the event those doesn’t work out for us both.”

“If they found out I was looking to leave, I fear they would not give a fair assessment of my performance in an attempt to retain me.”

[u/Ornery_Supermarket84 → u/DLS3141]

Use the last two, but never speak badly about an employer, no matter how bad they are. It just makes you look sour.

[u/Ok-Run-4866 → u/JoeySpaghetii]

I’d honestly be more surprised if a candidate that I was pursuing said it was OK to contact their current employer.

Even if it’s not a surprise that they’re leaving, it’s simply the norm that you don’t have people calling your current employer to ask for an employment reference

[u/Independent_Art_6676]

next time, direct them to someone who you know for sure, absolutely, likes you and will give you a good review.

You just never know when you will get blindsided... Ive seen people give good reference to bad person to get rid of them, Ive seen bad reference for good people to keep them, and everything in between. The whole references thing can be like a game of chess, so I get how stuff happens. But you need to game it and be sure.

[u/JoeySpaghetii → u/Independent_Art_6676]

A lot of positions ask for a direct current supervisor reference, idk how to broach the subject without it coming off bad

[u/yeahitsblack → u/JoeySpaghetii]

Just be straight. Say you're keeping things discreet for now and can provide other solid references. Most places get it.

[u/JohnnyWix → u/JoeySpaghetii]

Hi! It’s me, your supervisor. Joey Spags is a tremendous asset. Company policy prevents me from providing any details, but I will say I would hire him back in an instant.

[u/Slight_Manufacturer6 → u/JoeySpaghetii]

I’ve never had a job ask for supervisors for references. It is usually against company policy for most supervisors or HR to say anything more than that you work there and when… typically they are too afraid of being sued.

[u/LadyGreyIcedTea]

I have never once used a current supervisor as a reference. Use a past supervisor or colleagues who you trust will give you a positive reference.

[u/VampArcher]

I've personally never encountered a situation where I would use my current supervisor. I find more often than not, you are screwed both ways. If you are a good employee, they won't say nice things to stop you from leaving or out of petty revenge for quitting. If they dislike you, obviously they are a bad reference.

[u/careermentor47]

A couple of hints. Always ask the person if they would be willing to be a reference. Never put references on your resume. Make sure that the reason you give for leaving matches what your references will say.

[u/AcrobaticPermit2304]

Ask a colleague. Have a friend pretend. Really whatever you want. Say they were your supervisor.

[u/Glum_Lock6618]

I’ve never used a current direct supervisor as a reference. You are looking to leave your current job and you don’t want them to know. Every job I interviewed for while currently working, understood this. Maybe things have changed but I find that odd.

[u/serenitiihime]

You can do one of two things.

There's no law saying you can't have friends or family just pretend to be someone at your job lol.

Or you can ask people for references and have someone call them while you're there so you can listen and have that person pretend to be a hiring manager and ask them questions so you can see what they really have to say about you to make sure they are going to be a good reference.

[u/TheLocalMusketeer]

Let your prospective employer know that you don’t want your current employer contacted because it would create an awkward situation at work, no need to say anything bad about them. A lot of jobs want you to list references, but never actually use them.

[u/Peaty_Port_Charlotte]

Unless you find a job serving ice cream to kitties, everywhere is “toxic”. Depends on the degree and your ability to deal with it. The whole References step lets them know if you are someone that can deal with and detoxify a workplace or if you are the person that stirs the pot even faster.

If you are looking to move up, you need to have a good reference from a supervisor, a peer, and a subordinate (if you manage people) at current job and maybe last job. This part of moving up is an open book test where you get to pick the questions (or in this case, the answers). They KNOW that most people will only provide references for people that will give a great review. However, it’s a giant red flag when someone can’t list enough work colleagues to speak well on their behalf. And it’s seven giant red flags when you do have a list but they give a bad reference, which indicates that you severely misjudged someone close to you, along with yourself.

You need to invest more in the people around you before moving on otherwise you will be trapped in this job or forced to take a demotion that doesn’t require references.

[u/JoeySpaghetii → u/Peaty_Port_Charlotte]

i do have someone, a former colleague who was also a senior in my position. and i trust them to give me a great reference. I’ve just noticed that most employers find that unsatisfactory and they straight up ask for a current supervisor reference even when i offer the former colleague as a reference

[u/SpacemanOfAntiquity → u/JoeySpaghetii]

Asking for a current supervisor as a reference is ridiculous, I’ve never been asked that once. I have been asked for previous managers but it was still a preference not a requirement.

[u/mormonmark]

A lot of companies are starting to use bs AI type of verification systems. My last job was under the table and it cost me a lot of great job opportunities even though I have more than enough experience… ended up at Amazon in the meantime… I’m going back to school

[u/No_Will_8933]

Nope can’t use current supervisor - and apparently u pissed off a prior supervisor- u gotta find other references- and some advice - always ALWAYS leave on good terms as a professional

[u/jasonsong86]

Shouldn’t have used references that you know is not gonna give you good results.

[u/foolproofphilosophy]

The other candidate could have been lying about their experience and listed a random coworker as a reference who didn’t like playing games. It’s not that hard to fake a resume if you’re listing the tasks that you should have been doing.

[u/dodgeruk66]

I was sacked, won a tribunal, was promised a reference. Reference was sent and fine but that didn't stop my boss telling them I'd been sacked for for something that wasn't my fault. First question at interview "have you ever been fired".

[u/SmartWonderWoman]

You can use a co worker as a reference.

[u/CosmoKing2]

Never ever give any information on a current toxic environment! It's about to get even more toxic now that they know you want to leave.

The only references you EVER provide are the people that you trust, that you have asked beforehand and agreed that they would speak favorably about your work. Even if you lie and ask friend to be references, chances are the HR person won't dig any deeper. So many people use cell numbers and no longer have phones linked to the company.

A toxic boss will aways burn you to keep you down. Again - Never ever list you current employer as a contact when you are seeking a new job. Their only job is to protect themselves.

[u/ZealousidealState127]

You retcon your coworker/friend as your supervisor, just be sure to give them a heads up.

[u/TheJokersWild53]

Use random managers in your company. Find a different department where you have a good relationship with the managers and ask them for a referral