# Job hunting quandry

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunting-quandry/602243>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 8, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunting-quandry/602243 "2011-11-08T03:32:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunting-quandry/602243/1 "2011-11-08T03:32:31Z")

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So, I have applied for a job with the state, and their application form specifically asks that two of my letters of reference be from my current and former supervisor. Unfortunately, I fear, realistically that if my current supervisor knows I am hunting that I will have no job. On the other hand, this is the state government that is asking and it seems unlikely that they will hire me without talking to my current boss. Is there any way to correctly handle this situation?

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**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunting-quandry/602243/2 "2011-11-08T04:06:46Z")

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I wonder if that’s boiler plate for applicants who are already state employees, applying for transfer to a different position. Maybe they gave you the wrong form.

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**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunting-quandry/602243/3 "2011-11-08T04:47:13Z")

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Is there an HR contact? Perhaps you can ring and explain that you won’t be able to provide a reference from your current manager.

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**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunting-quandry/602243/4 "2011-11-08T05:17:02Z")

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Back when I was applying for government work, my boss was supportive. She would show me job listings and we had a party when I finally got this one. Nobody ever called her, or any of my other references.

I was outraged. Of course, I didn’t say anything, I wanted to get the job, but seriously…I have the records for the entire county and nobody bothered to call my references?

Anyhow, that was a while back. I expect that you are now doing it all online. This means that they already have a ringer, so the only way you have a chance is to walk your application to HR and charm the receptionist.