NWR: Professional References

trebmal

I am not sure if I shared with you all that about a month ago my boss told me to start circulating my resume and cover letter as my position might not be around next year due to governement funding.
So as much as that was a blow, I appreciate him at least letting me know so I am not surprised by losing my job in a few months. 
My question is, do you ask permission from co-workers to use them as a professional reference or just put their name on the application information?
One of the places I am applying has a little checklist questionnaire and I KNOW the ladies I work with are all too busy to go in and do it, horrible to say, I know, but I've seen their schedules, I know how busy they are. So I feel bad asking them to be a reference then have more to add to their days.
thanks in advance !!!

LizzyTish88

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_nwr-professional-references?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:8ebe1c11-60ab-438e-b597-9e0cba68a53fPost:e59d3168-857b-4e5a-b919-9c8de2b9dc8d">NWR: Professional References</a>:
[QUOTE]I am not sure if I shared with you all that about a month ago my boss told me to start circulating my resume and cover letter as my position might not be around next year due to governement funding. So as much as that was a blow, I appreciate him at least letting me know so I am not surprised by losing my job in a few months.  My question is, do you ask permission from co-workers to use them as a professional reference or just put their name on the application information? One of the places I am applying has a little checklist questionnaire and I KNOW the ladies I work with are all too busy to go in and do it, horrible to say, I know, but I've seen their schedules, I know how busy they are. So I feel bad asking them to be a reference then have more to add to their days. thanks in advance !!!
Posted by trebmal[/QUOTE]

You should ask. I did. I thought that it would be better to ask and have them know that they might be contacted then for the company to call them out of the blue. Also when I interview for different companies, I let them know, so they are up to speed. You don't want the company calling for a recommendation, and having the person who answers have no idea about you looking somewhere else. They might also want the time to prepare.

marleylikeair

Definitely ask. I'm sure they'll be happy to help out if you're on good terms (which I'm assuming you are!). If they can't fit it in, they can tell you.

MLekathLEEN

I would always ask and make sure. That way, you're giving them a heads up that they may be contacted.

Elle1036

Agreed.  Definitely ask their permission.  Most likely, they'll be happy to do it, but it's a common courtesy to ask.

[Deleted User]

Ask. As most of the other gals on here have mentioned, it is common courtesy to ask their permission. Aside from that, it gives them the opportunity to prepare for what they might want to say to your prospective employers. If they know someone may be contacting them regarding you, they will have you already in the forefront of their minds - thus making a better reference for you.

stemms8810

I agree with everyone else, I would definitely ask so they have a heads up and aren't caught off guard.  I recently asked a college professor if she would be a reference for me and she wanted me to update her on my current job so she could speak highly of me in that position.  I am glad I asked so I could give her current info about my job so she could relay this information to a potential employer.

HappinessByTheKilowatt

Always ask. There are many people who I wouldn't vouch for-- I have turned down requests to be a reference for people in the past, if I thought I couldn't accurately speak for their capabilities, or just wasn't comfortable putting my name behind them. You would hate for them to get a phone call and then be stumbling over what to say about you and your job-- it would reflect poorly on you. GL with the search!