Has anyone ever had to ask their supervisor for a job ref? What was the outcome, was it forthcoming without any probs or was (s)he difficult about it?

? References are quite common- why should there be any problems with it? If your supervisor is nice you can ask her/him to show it to you before it is sent. Or the people wanting the reference will ask you for people who will reference for you and then write to your supervisor requesting one. In this case you don't have to do anything but name your supervisor.

Have you really asked to see your ref? Isn't that a bit cheeky but I suppose if you don't ask you don't get? I always thought they were confidential! But I would love to see what they write!

That would depend on how you get on with your supervisor. If he/she has written only good things about you there's probably no problem. If you didn't get on this can be very different.

Freedom of information legislation means that you have the right to see any information stored about you and this includes references.

Thanks that's good to know. My supervisor is a really cool guy but I still think it's a bit cheeky to ask beforehand. Would it be better if you asked afterwards if you got a particular position?

The only worthwhile reason to ask to see your reference is if you are having trouble getting a job and can't think why - or if you are about to apply and you're worried that your referee will give you a bad reference. Otherwise you are just going to embarrass somebody who in all likelihood is trying to do you a favour. Asking to see you reference after you have successfully applied for a job is just nosey.

Thanks. I thought as much but I guess everyone is just nosey and wants to know what is written about them! They don't have this problem in Germany I've found out today as it's not confidential!

Well, we also have a freedom of information legislation, thats all. If your supervisor puts things in his reference that are wrong you can ask him/her to correct it (and go to court if he doesn't). Most labheads in the field know each other anyway, so if your supervisor is going to knock you down infront of others you can't do much anyway.

For example, one labhead here introduced two PhD students as "big tits and small tits" to other labheads (and possible future employers) during a big conference with all the important people there. 'Course he looked like the real idiot then ...

I'm beginning to find that out as well - it's a very small world but I think I should be ok for references!! I have sussed out who to ask! I can't believe the guy introduced his Phd students like that! Bet he was the one that looked like a big tit!