Confidential References

No matter how well qualified you are, potential employers will want an objective opinion of you. In the UK most job application forms request the names and addresses of three people who can give an independent reference.

Typically potential employers will require two or three confidential references. One reference should be from your current employer and the other references should be from previous employers or dental schools. Open testimonials are not acceptable. Social referees or references from friends or family members are also not acceptable.

The referee will be asked questions relating to your time in employment. It is important that the dates given by your referee also match the information in your CV.

In the UK employers will usually expect to obtain references direct from the referees. As this can be difficult for overseas applicants, the NACPDE will contact your referees and hold confidential copies of your references so they can be made available at short notice for a UK interview.

Please include the full name, address, fax number and email address of the person willing to provide a professional reference. It is very important that you check that the person who will provide your reference is still working at the address provided. References sent by email should be scanned documents with the official professional headed notepaper of the dental school/hospital/dental practice. It is courteous to contact your referees before you apply for a post to inform him/her about your application.