When I applied for a graduate scheme, I was asked to provide 2 references: my current employer and an academic reference which I put on the application form.
Now, when I filled this out (months ago), I didn't contact my current employer for a reference because I know graduate schemes are tough to get on to and didn't want them to think I was leaving as I didn't even know if I would get a graduate position. It would have better to put a previous employer but didn't have the option.
Since then, I have been offered the position (but no contract or start date as yet) and HR have contacted me to follow up references. I would like to keep my current job until July or August when the grad position is likely to start but if I ask my current manager about a reference then it will obviously give away that I'm leaving.
What's best to do in this situation? Ask permission to my manager for a reference, ask HR if it can wait until closer to a start date or something else?