2 references required online application

[HQ2]

Seen a job I quite like the look of. Big company who employ lots of low-paid folk, but this is a head office role. Trouble is, the online application looks the same as if I was applying for a retail role. They want details of two people for references.

It's a speculative application, if I got shortlisted I'd happily give details of a couple of people in decent roles with big brands, but I haven't approached or asked them, nor do I want them automatically contacted as part of the process (doesn't seem to be an option to request no contact before interview).

I'd want my references to be big-hitting and from people who I wouldn't want to pester with more than one request. Hoping the one time I need to ask them, I get the role (I've always been self-employed but worked with some big brands).

Any way around it?

[BrabusMog]

Just put "Reference available on future request".

[HQ2]

BrabusMog said:

Just put "Reference available on future request".

It's online with a number of required fields. Name, company, role, email, phone etc. Not able to leave blank.

[GadgeS3C]

HQ2 said:

BrabusMog said:

Just put "Reference available on future request".

It's online with a number of required fields. Name, company, role, email, phone etc. Not able to leave blank.

Can you put "Reference available on future request" in each field?

[BrabusMog]

GadgeS3C said:

HQ2 said:

BrabusMog said:

Just put "Reference available on future request".

It's online with a number of required fields. Name, company, role, email, phone etc. Not able to leave blank.

Can you put "Reference available on future request" in each field?

I'd be stunned if you couldn't... I'm also quite amazed that this had to be explained to the OP.

[HQ2]

Tried something along those lines. Phone number only accepts digits and email needs correct format.

Thought [e-mail] looked a bit daft.

[va1o]

My experience from a couple of large well known companies similar to the OP describes is references aren't taken up until after an offer has been made. It does seem irregular that they are asking for details now at application stage, haven't seen that before.

[Mr E]

An aside. When I was at the start of my working life I didnt really have employer references. This is not unusual.

Normal practice seemed to be to use family friends in positions of authority. So, Anna. A formidable woman (she still is), and a splendid reference.

They rang her. She was out. Her husband took the call. It transpires he's a retired colonel. He made rather a good impression on my new employer.