Hi, it sounds like a tricky but not unusual position.
I can give you my point of view as someone who works in a management position and is involved in recruiting.
1. Do not leave the reference section blank- as a manager reading through numerous applications and looking for ways to create a short list, any applications without references would be put aside and not make the list.
Given that it is, IMO, imperative that references are supplied the issue here is how to get the best references you can.
I have, at times had employees come to me, who were considering looking at employment elsewhere. This has to my mind, been a great opportunity to discuss the aspirations of the employee, whether those aspirations could be met at the current place of employment or whether there were other issues in the workplace or the employees personal life that were impacting on their decision. For me, transparency is the key. I would always consider it my duty to supply an honest reference for an employee, whether or not I was happy about them leaving. People deserve to be recognised for the good work they do regardless of whether it inconveniences me that they leave. It would be unethical to do otherwise. By the same token I would not give a glowing reference for an employee whose work was substandard, and I would advise the employee that I may not be the best person to put down as a referee as I have to answer honestly if I am contacted by a potential employee and I have been identified by the applicant as a referee.
This is turning out to be longer than I expected........
So, onto getting the best references you can, as others have noted here, the best, and most relevant references will be from your current employer given that this is your first professional appointment. Again, as someone who peruses applications on a regular basis, this is what I would be looking for and curious about.
I would seriously consider who is in a position at your current employment to give you the references you require, and have an open, honest discussion with them. I understand that you have some concerns about this, however, unless your workplace has a culture that is unethical or unsupportive, I believe this is the preferred course of action.
I wish you the best of luck in your application and keep us posted :)
Hi, it sounds like a tricky but not unusual position.
I can give you my point of view as someone who works in a management position and is involved in recruiting.
1. Do not leave the reference section blank- as a manager reading through numerous applications and looking for ways to create a short list, any applications without references would be put aside and not make the list.
Given that it is, IMO, imperative that references are supplied the issue here is how to get the best references you can.
I have, at times had employees come to me, who were considering looking at employment elsewhere. This has to my mind, been a great opportunity to discuss the aspirations of the employee, whether those aspirations could be met at the current place of employment or whether there were other issues in the workplace or the employees personal life that were impacting on their decision. For me, transparency is the key. I would always consider it my duty to supply an honest reference for an employee, whether or not I was happy about them leaving. People deserve to be recognised for the good work they do regardless of whether it inconveniences me that they leave. It would be unethical to do otherwise. By the same token I would not give a glowing reference for an employee whose work was substandard, and I would advise the employee that I may not be the best person to put down as a referee as I have to answer honestly if I am contacted by a potential employee and I have been identified by the applicant as a referee.
This is turning out to be longer than I expected........
So, onto getting the best references you can, as others have noted here, the best, and most relevant references will be from your current employer given that this is your first professional appointment. Again, as someone who peruses applications on a regular basis, this is what I would be looking for and curious about.
I would seriously consider who is in a position at your current employment to give you the references you require, and have an open, honest discussion with them. I understand that you have some concerns about this, however, unless your workplace has a culture that is unethical or unsupportive, I believe this is the preferred course of action.
I wish you the best of luck in your application and keep us posted :)