Reference/Referees

Should you inform someone that you have used them as a reference when you know for sure that they will be contacted??

definitely - you should always check with the person first before giving their name / contact details as a referee. They may not be willing to provide a reference or company policy may not allow them to give a personal reference.

I would agree with cinders. I have been contacted several times by potential employers asking for a reference for different people. It doesn't look good if I am taken by surprise when they call as it looks as through the potential employee couldn't even be bothered to inform me. Also, as happened in one case with me, I had to refuse to give a reference. If the person had contacted me first I could have told them that I could not supply them with a reference thereby giving them a chance to get someone else as a referee and avoiding the embarrassment of being refused. So, yes they should be told (even if you are not sure if they will be contacted...if you are using their name, they shoud know about it).

Mickeyg No I don't think you should contact someone and tell them you have used their name as a referee. Common manners would say you would contact them in advance and check if it is ok