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?

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.

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

I think flowery references are out of style everywhere now, due to liability issues.

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

Yeah, I think most US companies will now only give start and end dates too.

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.

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

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

Probably not top of the list of worries for moving countries anyway.

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

I've always bribed my ex-bosses to provide good references.

Or blackmailed...

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...

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

If u can get one gr8 but US employers usually expect little.

The trend now is to look at your online "paper trail"

Just hope you didn't post stupid stuff anywhere in your youth !!!!!!

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

Where do you get the "minimum 25 paragraphs" from?

I've never seen a reference letter anywhere near that length, in the US or the UK.

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.

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

Yes facebook etc is your enemy.

However depending on the situation a letter of recommendation at times may be helpful, can't hurt.

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

A letter of recommendation will travel will it not? Even within the UK.

Re: US-style references from a British employer
 

The OP was about UK vs US references.