References?

[lucemma4]

I know this question gets asked a lot but I would appreciate any advice. I am currently working for a small company, I don't enjoy my job and my employers who also own the company are quite underhand. I have been offered another job subject to references - it states 'one being from your recent employer if appropriate.'

I am giving my current employers one weeks notice as I am on a fixed term contract and need to start my new jon in a week's time. I know they won't be happy with me leaving so soon. The dilema is that I am reluctant to give my current employers as a reference as I am concerned they may jepordise my new job and would like to give the employer I worked for previous to this instead.

Will this look bad to my new employers and also put me in a difficult position explaining why I won't have my current employers as reference?

Please help me, thank you.

[gammaray]

You can always give the name of the employer previous to the current one. If you explain the situation to your prospective new employers they will more than likely understand. The thing not to do is to try and hedge your bets with your new employer by witholding information. If you are not confident that your current employers will not give you a reference, then say so and say why you feel this way. Your new employers should give you credit for being honest.

[silverdaler]

i own a small business and i agree that honesty is the best policy. as long as you can provide a decent reference from your previous employer prior to your current one, and possibly explain the reasons why your current employers may not be appropriate, i would be happy with that. offer a character reference too, if you can, from someone reputable who has known you a long time just as an added bonus.