What should I write in "Working Relationship" field in job application

I am applying for job online and the form includes an area for me to list my references and our "Working Relationship". What should I write in that area? Also, when I report to a person who is the only other person in the company, what is their position: owner/manager/MD/CEO?

11.3k 4 4 gold badges 37 37 silver badges 60 60 bronze badges asked Jun 7, 2012 at 11:10 user1094163 user1094163

working relationship is generally one of managed by [this person] , colleague or managed [this person]

Commented Jun 7, 2012 at 12:02 @TZHX With a little more text, that would be a perfectly fine answer. Commented Jun 7, 2012 at 13:27

2 Answers 2

Terms may vary about between culture / country

21.6k 8 8 gold badges 77 77 silver badges 143 143 bronze badges answered Jun 7, 2012 at 13:44 Michael Durrant Michael Durrant 11.3k 4 4 gold badges 37 37 silver badges 60 60 bronze badges

You may want to shorten them and nounify them. Directly Reported to Me ⇒ Direct Report (though I would avoid underling ).

Commented Apr 12, 2013 at 0:50

I prefer Michael Durrant's phrasing. "Direct Report" is ambiguous. Are you saying you are the direct report, or that they are?

Commented Apr 18, 2013 at 1:40

What should I write in that area?

For the references you are putting down, how would you categorize the relationship: Is this person your manager, team lead, teammate, subordinate, or something else? Where in the organizational chart are you in relation to the reference. Was this person a client of yours? Did you use this person as a vendor for some service? There are more than a few possible answers here.

Also, when I report to a person who is the only other person in the company, what is their position: owner/manager/MD/CEO?

This can vary. President, CEO, Owner, Founder, Creator, and Chairman are possibilities though it depends a bit on how the person views the company. They may just see themselves as a Principal or Director and thus it is worth either asking or looking at their business card or an on-line profile like LinkedIn that may have their title.