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I'm currently employed and have been for the past 6 years with the same people. I need to find something new and I'd like to ask my Boss to be a reference. Should I ask her now? before I start sending out resumes. Or should I do it after I get an interview and they are requested.

Any help would be appreciated.

If you are in good relations with your boss and she is reasonable, I don't see why not.

Am in a similar situation like yourself. Come next year, it would be my 6th year on the job. I do enjoy it and appreciate it so much but I feel that professionally, I ought to learn new things and push myself harder. I don't want to find myself in ten years time pigeon-holed into a job that I may grow out of.

I haven't asked for my boss for a reference yet but I am very certain that he would give me a really good one. aaahh.. trying not to do anything crazy in the meantime...

Libby, I dont know how it works out there. I guess it must be the same, different companies (Potential employers) may have different policies. Some applications with the term: Reference will be provided on request may fly. Yet, other companies may want a reference to cross check before they even call you for an interview. The issue is that when asking your current boss for a reference you will have to be extremely diplomatic. Think through it.

What if she/he offers you an equally challenging change in the current organisation? Would you then stay?

All the best Libby and Cayce

if you are on good terms with your boss tell him/her you are looking at a new career path and would like to use him/her as a reference. almost all bosses understand the economy of today's world and that many young people will move around. i asked my last boss if i could use him as a reference the same day i signed my "i quit" papers. he said he would be more than happy to refer me for new jobs. it all depends on how you perform....if you get the job done and dont piss off people then it shouldnt be hard to get some great references. co-workers are another good source of references.

In general i would not put my references on my resume but put a note that available on request or something similar. It makes the length of the resume managegable.

You just want to be careful...I usually don't ask my current boss to be my reference (I may ask other colleagues) because I don't want them to treat me differently in my current workload.

If you don't think it will be a problem, you should just speak to your boss and say something like I looking to move forward in my career and am going to begin a job search; if you know of any positions that may fit here (and explain what you are looking for), please let me know, but I was also hoping you would be a reference.

I have been thinking about this alot lately...and am debating about using my current boss; he knows I am not happy and has passed along other job postings, but I don't know that I want him to know when I am not at work b/c of interviews, etc. It may put us both in an awkward position.

Anyway, I am rambling. Good idea asking for references prior to putting them down on paper.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Cayce,
I'm in the exact same boat as you. I'm so comfortable in my position now that I feel I'm losing my skills

I just don't know if I should ask my boss right now. We're super short handed at work and until they are filled I don't want to scare my boss.

Generally, after they pretty much hire you or interview you, they ask for references. I didn't use my old boss because she was psychotic but used coworkers and old coworkers and old bosses who were aware of my intentions.

You could also get friends to lie for you and pretend they work with you.

I'd say, "I'd rather not my current boss be contacted until employment is secure, though if you speak with her, she will offer glowing recommendations." It depends what kind of environment, etc, it is.

Are you looking for job as a librarian elsewhere?

You should never put your references on a resume... at least not in Canada (I'm assuming you're applying here, I don't know for elsewhere). Instead, you should just put "References available upon request."

Also, when called for an interview you do have the option of not allowing them to check references... I've done that before, when applying for other jobs (my employment at that time was brutal for punishing people they knew were looking for other opportunities).

Personally, I wouldn't ask for references until you have an interview set up for another position. Then, I would sit down and talk to your boss about how you feel the need for additional challenges and a professional change. You would then create a references page (use the same letterhead as your resume) with two or three references on it... and bring it to your interview.

I never put specific references on a resume. Like a few others here, I put the line, "References Furnished Upon Request" or something like that. The point is well taken that listing references just makes the resume longer, less manageable...and on a resume, every line counts--and you want every line to showcase info. about you.

I don't use a current boss as a reference, and often not a current co-worker. Here's a thought: tailor the references you offer to the job you're going for. I'd have several different ones handy, and use the ones that would most likely impress your future employer, while speaking the most specifically to the job that you're applying for. Or, maybe one of your references holds a position that your persective employer would be impressed with (say, you knew the CEO of a company that your perspective boss admired, etc.) Tons of ref's can say you're reliable, a good co-worker, a good team player, etc.