Can you ask to see your references!!?

Question

Say if you get a new job and the company seeks references from your previous employers, can you ask your boss (in your new job) if you can see the references given by your previous employer??

Answer 1

No but usually if you ask your old boss for a reference he gives it to you to show prospective employers .i think it would be a display of lack of self confidence if you asked your new employer to show you them.

Answer 2

It's a good question but the truth is, he/she probably won't tell you everything. But what does it matter, you got the job so the references must have at least been decent!

First, the manager probably isn't the one who performs the reference checks. At companies that are large enough to have an HR department, HR does the reference checks. For these types of reference checks, HR uses a standard set of questions and the answers are recored. It's really a formality.

Now, if it's a smaller company or the manager does his own reference checks, then it's a difference matter. Some managers, very few mind you, do their own reference checks at larger companies. Anyhow, small company or per preference, the manager does the reference checks. In this scenario, the manager will have specific quesions tailored to the position or what he noted in your interview. He may or may not write down everything that is explained to him by the reference. More, he probably won't put it on file. Once he decides on the candidate, he moves on. It's largely forgotten and if you ask him, at best, he'll vaguely recall. If the reference said something bad or less than flaterring, he won't reveal it. Again, if you got the job, your references had to be good, so why sweat it?

YOu can do what I do and that is, go over what is to be said with your references. Agree on what is to be offered and then pose different questions to them to see what they will say. Often, your reference will be honest. They're on your side right! Plus, I even make sure my references say one BAD point about me. It's really to show the potential manager that I'm human and it's not a phoney reference. It's sounds real because the reference admitted I had a fault!

I, personally, don't believe in the reference system. For the most part, I consider it BOGUS!! There are many ways to circumvent it. Once and ONLY once did I use someone as a reference who never worked with me! My reference was on vacation and my current manager wasn't going to do it, so I got a coworker to pose as a manager. I sat beside him as the HR rep called and listened to him answer the questions. Once he hung up I thanked him! LOL!!

Best,
-- Liam

Answer 3

UK Law-
Under the Data Proctection Act, yes you can. You can see references from your previous employers, but not one that your current employer has written!

Answer 4

No you can`t do that but i wish you could

Answer 5

sure, go ahead, ask away... unless this is a trick question and you're mute

Answer 6

No you can't

Answer 7

No you can't.