Job Application Question

[giddyup]

I had a friend from college contact me about a job opening at his company that he wants me to apply for. I was not looking for a new job, but this could be a good opportunity both professionally and for my family life, so I am going to apply. I have been at my current job for 6+ years so I haven't done this in a while.

The application is online and has a standard form resume that you fill in as well as the option to upload your resume. The standard form requires 3 professional references. I do not want to put anyone at my current work since even if I was offered a position I am not sure I would take it. The job I had before my current position was my first job out of grad school and I was there 2 years. I haven't kept in contact with anyone there. I can definitely look online to see if my old manager is still there, but he may have retired. Also I have married since then so different last name. 

I guess my question is should I put people who are more familiar with me currently, but weren't my boss/coworker? Or do I put my manager from 6 years ago who might not know who I am with my married name?

[2chatter]

I struggle with this conceptually as I have been where I am for a decade now...If ever I were to job hunt...it would be challenging. One of my references for this job was the senior project manager on my last job. At that time he was just the senior project manager. Now he's my DH. So there's that, too....

Are there any colleagues who have left your current employer that would make good references?

[covergirl82]

I would agree with 2chatter on locating former coworkers from your current employer who would make good references.

[mommyatty]

+1 to former coworkers. I lined up two former clients and two former attorneys I worked with when I was contemplating a change. How about using the guy who asked you to apply?

And congrats! That's a high compliment!

[giddyup]

There is one former employee who I could use. People tend to have a pretty long tenure here. I still feel like the new guy sometimes. So I will use him. I may as the guy who sent me the job posting. Although not sure how well he can speak to me in a professional setting.

Thank you for the suggestions!

[giddyup]

I had a friend suggest writing in "available upon request" in each box. Thoughts on this approach?

[rere]

Do you have any partners outside? People you work with in another company or agency? I use my outside partners ad references. I would prefer a current reference to one six yrs ago as a hiring manager, plus I would hope my skills have improved over the last six years.

[sunbutter]

I agree with available upon request. It is understood in my field that applicants won't bother references until after they know an employer is serious. I handed my interviewers references during my onsite interview. The references I provided weren't even called until after I was offered a position.

[sudokufan]

I would reach out to the friend who is recommending you for the job and see if they know this kind of detail about the hiring process. If I'd specifically contacted a friend to suggest they apply, I'd be very happy to share what I know. Like how to "game" the scoring matrices we use ;-)

At my org, the application form is basically ignored in favor of the resume & cover letter, and they'd also ignore whatever you entered for the references and just ask for them again after a first or second interview.

[saraml13]

+1 to giddyup and sudokufan. Typically references aren't checked until much later in the process, often after an offer is extended exactly for this reason. Unless it forces you to fill out the field, I would leave it blank or write "available on request". Since you're coming from an employee referral, I definitely don't think this should be a deal breaker for them.

[giddyup]

Pretty much all the work I do is for internal colleagues. So no outside vendors or anything.

I think I am going to go with the "available upon request" route. I personally know (from college) two of the people involved in the hiring process. So I feel like they would vouch for me at least in the early stages and if it gets far enough I will provide references.