HELP. I feel like this is a super common question about job applications but I never know how to navigate it. How do you provide references when your current boss would be the best person to serve as a reference, but you don't necessarily want them to know you're applying to other jobs? Who do you ask? Or is it okay if you have a decent relationship with your boss? I saw a job that I want to apply for today and have to submit the app today because I'm going out of town tomorrow 😭

Your boss has to know you’re applying for other jobs if you want them to be a reference. The best thing would be to have a conversation about it and ask if they’re happy to be a reference. They shouldn’t get mad at you, employees apply for other jobs all the time and you won’t be the first person they’ve had to be a reference for

Depending what the form is like I put ‘available upon request’ or something like ‘available upon offer’. Not sure how it works in the US but in the UK nowadays, all the reference is usually is just confirming dates you worked at the company & job title not a character reference so just HRs detailed are provided.

@Awg1 it specifically says to include names and contact info for 3 references 😭

Fun complication, my boss is currently out on maternity leave. I'd probably have to text her personal # to ask. Is it okay to ask colleagues? Or should it be someone higher up than you?

I think it’s best to ask supervisors/managers and not just a regular colleague for a reference. This is a super awkward situation but I think I would just ask my boss in this situation and hope it doesn’t make things too complicated in the future.

Thanks everyone! I ended up asking a colleague who is not my manager but senior to me, a professor I've worked with closely (I work at a university), and a former advisor from my graduate university.