When can a prospective employer ask for references

[fluffy1010]

I am just filling out several applications and on one it says, may we contact previous employers for a reference.
Are they allowed to contact people before you have even been invited for an interview or only once a job has been offered. Thanks

[CheekyChops]

It depends - some contact them before interview and some only if they intend to offer you a job.

Most do understand trhat you may not have told your present employer about your search for another job!

As an example, my employers have this on their application forms: May we refer to your present employer prior to interview? Yes / No. If No, state reason and when I applied for my current job, I put no because I would rather they didn't know I had applied for another job unless my prospective new employers were going to offer it to me!