[GreenLantern]

I applied for a job and got through to the reference check, there is one final interview after references before they make their final decision. They gave me a reference sheet to fill out that list a few options, but specifically says they want my current supervisor, in bold. My dilemma is that this job doesn't start for 4 months. I'm worried that if I was to put down my current Supervisor and they contact that person I could either A) not get the job and risk pissing off my current supervisor, making working conditions hostile moving forward, B) get the job but not be able to keep my current job until the new one starts and have to go a few months without pay or C) not get the job and get let go from my current position, burning a ton of bridges in the process. I don't doubt the quality of reference I will get, its the repercussions that have me hesitating.

In today's economy, having a job is a big deal. But having a job you enjoy that pays competitively in your field is an even bigger deal. I thought about contacting the HR department that wants the references and explaining this situation to them to ask if we could work around my supervisor with current colleague references or previous supervisors.

Do you think this looks shady on my behalf? Should I just roll the die and see what happens? It seems out of practice to me that they want to contact references prior to the final interview, I am used to having references contacted after they have essentially made their decision and just want 'one last check'. Is this out of practice? Am I being greedy by reaching for this new job and should just stick with what I've got and be greatful?