US-style references from a British employer
May 10th 2014, 7:02 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6
US-style references from a British employer
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I am not looking to move from the UK any time soon but I may one day and so here so the question what worries me.
In the UK many companies do not give written references or only give factual information such as start and end dates, position and salary. In the US and some other countries a candidate is expected to show a bunch of reference letters where his or her former bosses describe in minimum twenty five paragraphs what a great worker that candidate was. Please correct me if I am wrong.
So, how did you deal with this cultrural differences when you look for a job in the US after long experience in the UK?
In the UK many companies do not give written references or only give factual information such as start and end dates, position and salary. In the US and some other countries a candidate is expected to show a bunch of reference letters where his or her former bosses describe in minimum twenty five paragraphs what a great worker that candidate was. Please correct me if I am wrong.
So, how did you deal with this cultrural differences when you look for a job in the US after long experience in the UK?
May 10th 2014, 7:25 pm
#2
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: US-style references from a British employer
My employer emailed my former employer in the UK asking for a few lines on some specific questions. No 25 paragraph diatribe required.
May 10th 2014, 8:26 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: US-style references from a British employer
I think flowery references are out of style everywhere now, due to liability issues.
May 10th 2014, 8:34 pm
#5
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: US-style references from a British employer
You are wrong. I have never been asked for a reference of any sort. I have followed up on references given by others, but I do it by phone and just get acknowledgment of their employment and dates. As Sally and Sir Eccles said, that's about all anyone gets these days.
May 10th 2014, 9:42 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Madison, Ct
Posts: 39
Re: US-style references from a British employer
OP - U r wrong - US employers are very cautious about giving any more information about current or former employees than they have to.
Basic info only - such as
Yes he / she was an employee
From / to
That's about it
Basic info only - such as
Yes he / she was an employee
From / to
That's about it
May 10th 2014, 9:52 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: US-style references from a British employer
Probably not top of the list of worries for moving countries anyway.
May 10th 2014, 10:14 pm
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: US-style references from a British employer
I've always bribed my ex-bosses to provide good references.
Or blackmailed...
Or blackmailed...
May 11th 2014, 9:34 am
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6
Re: US-style references from a British employer
Surely not. But since I am likely to say good bye to my curent employer soon I wonder should I bother to ask my boss to write a reference letter just in case...
Last edited by Br1t1sh; May 11th 2014 at 9:40 am.
May 11th 2014, 9:50 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Madison, Ct
Posts: 39
Re: US-style references from a British employer
The trend now is to look at your online "paper trail"
Just hope you didn't post stupid stuff anywhere in your youth !!!!!!
May 11th 2014, 10:03 am
#11
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,005
Re: US-style references from a British employer
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I am not looking to move from the UK any time soon but I may one day and so here so the question what worries me.
In the UK many companies do not give written references or only give factual information such as start and end dates, position and salary. In the US and some other countries a candidate is expected to show a bunch of reference letters where his or her former bosses describe in minimum twenty five paragraphs what a great worker that candidate was. Please correct me if I am wrong.
So, how did you deal with this cultrural differences when you look for a job in the US after long experience in the UK?
In the UK many companies do not give written references or only give factual information such as start and end dates, position and salary. In the US and some other countries a candidate is expected to show a bunch of reference letters where his or her former bosses describe in minimum twenty five paragraphs what a great worker that candidate was. Please correct me if I am wrong.
So, how did you deal with this cultrural differences when you look for a job in the US after long experience in the UK?
I've never seen a reference letter anywhere near that length, in the US or the UK.
May 11th 2014, 10:04 am
#12
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,005
Re: US-style references from a British employer
If as you say in your first post you don't plan to leave the UK any time soon, I'm not sure what would be the point.
May 11th 2014, 10:04 am
#13
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: US-style references from a British employer
However depending on the situation a letter of recommendation at times may be helpful, can't hurt.
May 11th 2014, 10:07 am
#14
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642