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Listing current boss as reference
I am three years out of grad school and I have had the same job in those past three years. I am starting to think about finding another position, but I haven't spoken to my boss about leaving yet. In fact, I posted a few weeks ago about looking for a new job even though it's a busy time at work.
I recently had an interview for another position, and I have my current boss listed as one of my references. They know that I'm employed and even that I am not really actively searching for a job, but I didn't explicitly ask if they would let me know before they contacted my references. They said, "If you're the top candidate, we'll contact these references", but they are still interviewing this week, and though the interview went well, I have no idea if I am the top candidate.
I would like to warn my boss before they contact her, because as of now she has no idea I am even looking for a job. But I don't want to ask them to give me a heads up before contacting my current boss, because I don't want to be presumptuous (I'm not even assuming I'll get the job at all, though I am hoping). I also don't want to warn my boss unless it looks like I'll really get the job. What do you think I should do? List someone else as my 3rd reference (though this goes back to grad school, and I'd have to find a reference that wouldn't know me as well as my current boss)? Ask them to let me know ahead of time? Warn my boss regardless? I haven't had an interview in many years and I'm not really up with the protocol. I don't want to mess anything up with my chances for the new job or with my current job, should I have to stay here for a while longer. Sorry this is long, and thanks in advance for any advice.
Re: Listing current boss as reference
Is your job something like a postdoctoral position with a definitive end date, or a "real" job where you're just looking to move on?
If it's the former, I think it's fine to tell your boss that you're putting out feelers for other positions and you'd like to use her as a reference. Actually, protocol is that you should make sure you ask your references before you list them, so they're not surprised if they're contacted. If it's the latter, I wouldn't tell your boss anything and would contact the place you've interviewed.
It's not presumptuous to ask them to not contact your current boss. It's a good CYA move. Just call the hiring manager or HR and either tell them you don't want that person contacted or that you'd like to know before they do so.
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Thank you both for your answers. They are very helpful, as always. My job doesn't have an end-date, so I am in the second position. I did ask my other references ahead of time, but I have avoided talking to my current boss about it since the job market is so unpredictable and I don't know if or when I can even find something else. I plan on giving her up to two months' notice to finish what I'm working on, if I do get another position.
I will contact the hiring manager and ask for a little bit of notice if he should be interested in contacting my references. I am glad to hear that that is an accepted sort of thing to do, and not too presumptuous. Thank you again!