References need to include 2 supervisors or above

[bathrobemom, LPN]

I have a phone interview tomorrow. If I'm selected to move on in the process I have to provide 5 references. Copy and pasted directions from my letter:

"if you are chosen to be considered further, you will be sent an email asking you to submit a minimum of 5 reference contacts, INCLUDING EMAIL ADDRESSES, from your previous employers and/or educational institutions(s). You will need to provide contact information for at least 2 supervisors or above. The remainder can be staff, coworkers, members of work teams, preceptors, instructors, etc. This process does not include personal references. "

I tracked down the owner from my last previous job so I have 1 of the 2 supervisors I need. The second one is going to be tricky. It looks like the supervisor from the job before that is possibly retired. This person has a LinkedIn page. I think she might not remember me, I quit in 2007 and this was a retail job with a high turnover. I guess I could add my picture and see if she remembers me.

One possible alternative is my current DON. She told me she'd be a reference, but that was when she thought I'd have to leave my current job (she didn't think I would be eligible for home health being a new LPN). I haven't told anyone at my job that I'm looking for a new one. Should I ask her if she could be a reference? She's not a previous supervisor, she's a current one, so would that be acceptable?

If those two people don't work then I have to go back about 15 years and that just seems way too far back, those people are never going to remember me.

Thanks for you help!

Also if you have any tips for getting an OB/GYN clinic position that would also be greatly appreciated!

[caliotter3]

By all means, use the current supervisor instead of trying to hunt down people from 15 years ago. They prefer to see more recent references anyway. What gets me about the request is the demand for email addresses. That is a little presumptuous if you ask me.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

You might ask your instructors from from your LPN program if you may use them for a reference.

[bathrobemom, LPN]

Thanks for the quick replies, I think I'll ask my current DON then. I just feel awkward asking her because I still work there.

I have to have 2 supervisors, the other three can be instructors if I read the directions correctly.

Is it ok to ask my instructors by email? I think they only have office hours once a week and I don't think I have much time to ask for their permission.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Yes. Emil is fine.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

By all means, use the current supervisor instead of trying to hunt down people from 15 years ago. They prefer to see more recent references anyway. What gets me about the request is the demand for email addresses. That is a little presumptuous if you ask me.

Is it presumptuous? Every RN job I've ever worked has used reference software. You provide the email, the company sends your reference the link to the form, and the person completes the reference form. In fact, every job I've ever worked that has actually checked references has checked them this way, healthcare or not.

How do references get done otherwise? Are there places that actually call your references and talk to them on the phone or something?

Maybe that sounds like a dumb question, but I've only been working in any capacity at all for about 11 years now, so there has always been internet since I started my first job.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

How do references get done otherwise? Are there places that actually call your references and talk to them on the phone or something?

Yup, there are still places that call references. I used to do it all the time.

[bathrobemom, LPN]

What they do is send an email with a survey to all the references, the information from all of the surveys is then compiled into one document. It's kind of annoying because I'm the one that enters all the reference information and I have to oversee the whole process. I have to follow up with my references to make sure they complete the online survey. I feel like this is the company's job - not mine. It's a great place and I really want the job though so it's worth it.

[caliotter3]

I have yet to apply to a job that demanded email references. And many a time I have been told about a reference check that occurred over the phone. The company wants the applicant to follow up with references because they assume the inconvenience factor will weed out people for them.

[Qteapi]

My question is what do you do when references drag their feet in replying to the reference email sent?! I am having the hardest time getting a former supervisor to respond to reference email! I always say I don't want to use this particular job as a reference because I have experienced their dragging of feet as if to throw a money wrench into my job hunt. Can I not list them in my places where I use to work?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Is it presumptuous? Every RN job I've ever worked has used reference software. You provide the email, the company sends your reference the link to the form, and the person completes the reference form. In fact, every job I've ever worked that has actually checked references has checked them this way, healthcare or not.

How do references get done otherwise? Are there places that actually call your references and talk to them on the phone or something? .

Every place I've applied has done what you describe as well. The reference is done online, and the link to the form is emailed to them.

My husband, who has only worked for independent companies gets plain old-fashioned phone calls for employment references. In fact, that's how he got his current job - they were calling him for a reference for a social worker who used to work for him, and they said "by the way, are you looking for a job by chance?"

[klone, MSN, RN]

My question is what do you do when references drag their feet in replying to the reference email sent?! I am having the hardest time getting a former supervisor to respond to reference email!

I try to have backups.