[kat91s]

I am currently doing some part-time work as an English teaching assistant at a college in Japan.

At the moment, the people I have listed as referees on my CV are out of date, and they don't know me that well. As I want to use my language skills in whatever job I go into, this teaching assistant job is also much more in line with what I will want to do after I graduate. That's why I want to ask the English teacher who hires me for a reference or letter of recommendation before I leave.

Firstly, it will be about a year before I will be actually looking for a job, so should I get a general written reference from him? (For any employer)

Should I also ask to include his contact details in future job applications?

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by kat91s)
I am currently doing some part-time work as an English teaching assistant at a college in Japan.

At the moment, the people I have listed as referees on my CV are out of date, and they don't know me that well. As I want to use my language skills in whatever job I go into, this teaching assistant job is also much more in line with what I will want to do after I graduate. That's why I want to ask the English teacher who hires me for a reference or letter of recommendation before I leave.

Firstly, it will be about a year before I will be actually looking for a job, so should I get a general written reference from him? (For any employer)

Should I also ask to include his contact details in future job applications?

There is very little if any value in a pre-written letter that you hand over to a future employer. What people mean nowadays when they ask for a reference is an email address (occasionally phone number) so that they can go directly to your referee and ask them to comment either generally on your suitability or often answer specific questions about your suitability, reliability, time-keeping, disciplinary record etc.

So if you want someone to be a referee for you, you should
a) ask them
b) and if they say yes, then clarify if they are happy to be put on any application you make as a referee or if they want to be asked for each application. Usually they will be happy to be referee for all applications

[kat91s]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
There is very little if any value in a pre-written letter that you hand over to a future employer. What people mean nowadays when they ask for a reference is an email address (occasionally phone number) so that they can go directly to your referee and ask them to comment either generally on your suitability or often answer specific questions about your suitability, reliability, time-keeping, disciplinary record etc.

So if you want someone to be a referee for you, you should
a) ask them
b) and if they say yes, then clarify if they are happy to be put on any application you make as a referee or if they want to be asked for each application. Usually they will be happy to be referee for all applications

I see, I realise that's usually the case, but will there be any problems if that referee is overseas?

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by kat91s)
I see, I realise that's usually the case, but will there be any problems if that referee is overseas?

That's a matter for the person/organisation asking for the reference. In practical terms, no, that's why email is preferred. However, the lack of knowledge of the status/position of the referee might be an issue. You won't know until/unless they say they won't accept that person as a referee.

[standreams]

I got a written reference from my previous employer because they were based in a country where the phone lines rarely worked. My potential British employers were suspicious of the fact that the company email address was a google account, but I explained to them that it was perfectly normal in that part of the world. They did however make contact by email (i.e. a letter alone was not convincing enough for them). And then came the hour with HR explaining my passport stamps...in the end I showed them the photo of me on the previous employer's website and that satisfied them, but it was a bit of a slog. If your school/university has a business email account (i.e. not google/hotmail etc) then it should be fine.

[kat91s]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
That's a matter for the person/organisation asking for the reference. In practical terms, no, that's why email is preferred. However, the lack of knowledge of the status/position of the referee might be an issue. You won't know until/unless they say they won't accept that person as a referee.

Why would his status be a problem? Just wondering. I'm also worried that because it's coming from a different country, he won't provide the right information. Should I let him know in advance exactly what I need in a reference?

(Original post by standreams)
I got a written reference from my previous employer because they were based in a country where the phone lines rarely worked. My potential British employers were suspicious of the fact that the company email address was a google account, but I explained to them that it was perfectly normal in that part of the world. They did however make contact by email (i.e. a letter alone was not convincing enough for them). And then came the hour with HR explaining my passport stamps...in the end I showed them the photo of me on the previous employer's website and that satisfied them, but it was a bit of a slog. If your school/university has a business email account (i.e. not google/hotmail etc) then it should be fine.

Thanks! Yes the school has its own email doman name, so that should be legitimate enough. I didn't realise they follow it up to that extent - do you think I will have problems? Would you still advise getting a letter?

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by kat91s)
Why would his status be a problem? Just wondering. I'm also worried that because it's coming from a different country, he won't provide the right information. Should I let him know in advance exactly what I need in a reference?

Usually the employer is quite specific about what they want to know about in a reference. Quite often they send the Referee the job description and ask them to comment on your suitability and other specific questions.

His status might be a problem simply because job titles differ between countries and if his job title doesn't match something understood in the UK the employer may not understand what this person does.

[kat91s]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
Usually the employer is quite specific about what they want to know about in a reference. Quite often they send the Referee the job description and ask them to comment on your suitability and other specific questions.

His status might be a problem simply because job titles differ between countries and if his job title doesn't match something understood in the UK the employer may not understand what this person does.

I see, thanks. So it should be enough just to give his contact details?

He is the English teacher I work with - I was hired personally by him, and I assist his English lessons. Does that make him ideal as a referee?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just not sure how this whole business works!

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by kat91s)
I see, thanks. So it should be enough just to give his contact details?

He is the English teacher I work with - I was hired personally by him, and I assist his English lessons. Does that make him ideal as a referee?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just not sure how this whole business works!

Basically when an employer asks for a reference they are just checking that another professional is prepared to put their business reputation on the line and state that you are a worthwhile person to hire. So there are clear rules, like family members don't count because their personal relationship with you would outweigh their professional reputation. There are preferences like the more senior the referee, the more reputation they are risking and so perhaps the 'stronger' the reference. But by and large it is a matter of coming to some agreement about what the Employer is prepared to accept and what you have.

It sounds like this teacher is going to be fine.

[kat91s]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
Basically when an employer asks for a reference they are just checking that another professional is prepared to put their business reputation on the line and state that you are a worthwhile person to hire. So there are clear rules, like family members don't count because their personal relationship with you would outweigh their professional reputation. There are preferences like the more senior the referee, the more reputation they are risking and so perhaps the 'stronger' the reference. But by and large it is a matter of coming to some agreement about what the Employer is prepared to accept and what you have.

It sounds like this teacher is going to be fine.

Thanks for all your help!