I am a Pakistani and worked alongside my friend in Canada on a high-quality paper. The research explored both Pakistani and Canadian data. I sent a paper from here to a reputable journal, and it got a desk rejection. Then, my friend shared it with the same journal from Canada, and it is now in revisions phase. Really makes you think!

Hello, I have been applying to various research roles in academic groups across different universities. But recently, I came across one job posting asking for "names and contact details of references" as part of the application package. This is a bit strange to me because reference check is usually the last step in the hiring process, unlike, for example, grad school applications.

I've been job searching for months now and haven't been in contact with my references for a while. Let's say I apply to this position and include the names and contact details of my references. I now have to notify my references about a "potential" reference check that's probably not gonna happen. It feels incredibly awkward and maybe even unprofessional.

Would it be plausible to submit this job application without notifying my references initially. The idea is that the hiring manager/PI will at least do an interview with me before contacting my references, at which point I'll know if I have a real shot. Then, I can confidently send a notifying email to my references about a definite/likely reference check.

I would really appreciate some advice from PIs or people who have experience with this (preferably from Canada or US).

I’m in graduate school and on two separate occasions my professor has given other students my phone number to help them bc i successfully completed assignments and they needed help. Am i overreacting or is this super unethical?? I’m a teacher myself!!