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I am a rising 2L working in-house at an insurance company for the summer. It looks like I will be continuing to work here for several hours per week during the semester as well (this is a paid position). Is it ok to ask my boss if I can list him as a reference, even though I am not leaving? I feel kind of weird about it -- they like me here, and I like them, and I don't want things to be awkward while I'm working here during the year. I guess I just feel strange about saying that I want him as a reference while I'm interviewing for other jobs, but I still want to stay here for the time being.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

I wouldn't.

1) Yeah, it would be weird. Especially because if somebody called employer #1 would know you were looking. It's like the "left a copy of your resume in the office printer" party foul. It's bad mojo to look like you're looking for a job.

2) Most employers, especially corporate types, have strict non-disclosure policies meaing they will only disclose name / rank / serial number (or rather, employment dates) if asked. So it's not like you'd be missing out on a glowing reference, and least in many situations.

bump

Is this company expecting you to stay there post-graduation? If not, why would they care. Even if they are, if you have done a good job and you stay on good terms while leaving, they should be willing to give you a good reference even if they wanted you to stay.

atkinsa wrote:Is this company expecting you to stay there post-graduation? If not, why would they care. Even if they are, if you have done a good job and you stay on good terms while leaving, they should be willing to give you a good reference even if they wanted you to stay.

I think this is accurate.

I assume that they know you're going to law school? If so, they probably assume it's because you want new/different/better career options and they should understand and recognize that those options may not be with them. If you've done well for them, they'd be silly to hold it against you. I know many, many people who have received glowing references from current employers who would rather they not leave.