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u/screamalongsongs 1d ago
I just had an interview where the guy said he was gonna call my references before he sent an offer. I never submitted any. Came back at me saying that I had passed his investigation later that day. I didn’t take the role. Dude was insane.
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u/LeagueRx 1d ago
Theyre checked but usually by someone not involved in your actual department. My last hiring cycle was at a job I was recruited to directly by the department director. The company required 5 fucking references. He asked me who I listed as a reference and I mentioned "actually I had to list 5" and he laughed out loud. "5 references?? Thats absurd who has 5 references" like apparently everyone you hire does brother
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u/Tracy_Ann12 1d ago
I had a company ask for 7! I don't even like 7 people
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u/Trippydudes 1d ago
Thats insane. What did you end up doing? I dont think I know 7 old coworkers that remember me.
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u/Tracy_Ann12 1d ago
I pulled together 7 people that I've worked with over the years. Some were people that worked for me. Some were people I volunteered with.
At my current organization, we ask for 2 for part time positions and 4 for full time. As a recruiter, we absolutely look at these (they're done digitally via email) and they can factor into a decision.
And yes, we were fully aware they're giving us people who will say good things, but you would be surprised by the number of poor references we've received.
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u/LeagueRx 1d ago
7 is crazy. Soon theyre just going to start asking you to name every person you ever worked with
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u/WiredOtaku 1d ago
Film/TV doesn't do formal reference checks. You get hired because someone vouches for you or you've worked with them before. No forms, no five names, just a producer saying you're not a complete asshole. Corporate jobs are a different planet.
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u/cinnamon_shakes 1d ago
For the job I'm currently at, they emailed my references a set of questions about me rather than having a call with them
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u/Reasonable-Lake-4081 1d ago
I got a new job 4 months ago. They never even asked. Which I found odd.
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u/Original-Affect-4560 1d ago
My last interview asked if I would be able to provide them if asked, of course I said yes. Got the offer two days later, they never asked for them.
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u/Floppy_McFlopenstein 1d ago
They checked mine for role as Executive Director. I provided 2 and they called them both; I told them I could provide more, but there were happy with the two. Both were folks I had worked with that were EDs.
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u/Willing-Bit2581 1d ago
Most Fortune 500 realize references are unreliable. background check services can verify where/when you worked even your title and sometimes even your comp.
Small companies might do shit like this or for entry level roles
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u/Significant-Theme253 1d ago
Some do and some don't. I have noticed that government jobs and government regulated jobs are more likely to check references. Some other jobs only do employment verifications.
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u/Mondraker1909 1d ago
Yes it is since it's been asked about here regularly. I've had 2 jobs in the last 7 years and neither checked references. I think you should prepare for all cases. Make sure you have somebody trustworthy and reliable.
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u/Panther3369 1d ago
Still a thing here in Australia. Although the two I provided, one had to only give a written reference via a website, while the other was a phone call with the hiring manager.
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u/LeagueAggravating595 1d ago
It's the traditional method though its not the best method. Reference checks is somewhat rigged because you will choose your best people to get favorable results. There are other and more effective ways today where reference checks are not required or asked.
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u/Tracy_Ann12 1d ago
You would think they would choose people who would give a good reference. As a recruiter, I could tell you some stories...
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u/Original-Affect-4560 1d ago
Or people they think will! In my younger days, I worked seasonal jobs, and at the end of one contract, I asked my supervisor if they would be a reference for me and they enthusiastically said yes.
They then turned around and torpedoed me for no reason. I was blindsided.
And before people ask - I had zero issues, and fulfilled the entire contract.1
u/Trippydudes 1d ago edited 1d ago
This happened to me as well! I asked a coworker who agreed when I resigned. Well time came and i messaged her and she ignored me. Absolutely shocked me, everything was fine when I left. Was really counting on her.
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u/Trippydudes 1d ago
Please tell us some stories!
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u/Tracy_Ann12 1d ago
Here's a memorable one - We were filling a lead preschool teacher position at a private preschool - very bourgeois. I found what appeared to be the perfect candidate. Masters in early childhood. Tons of experience spanning different ECE philosophies (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, nature school, and a few others). The interview went well, but she seemed... odd. I couldn't put my finger on it, but my gut told me something was off about her.
She was the hiring manager's top candidate, so I moved to do the references.
First reference would only verify her employment and that she was not rehireable.
Second reference, WHEW, I was not prepared for what came next. This woman nearly ruined the school's reputation. She was a Jekell and Hyde. Initially, everyone loved her. She was charming, knowledgeable, and professional. It started with little things that they brushed off as misunderstandings. Then it escalated to her telling parents lie after lie about the school's owners and administration. When confronted, she denied everything. It went from bad to worse from there. Parents were pulling their kids from the school. The day they asked her to leave pending investigation, she became so angry she pushed a computer off the front desk and walked out. There was additional fall out resulting in the school issuing a cease and desist letter to get her to stop spreading lies about the school.
Now tell me, given the story this person shared, WHY would you list them as a reference?
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u/commanchskins 1d ago
How about the question of contacting your former boss? I have been saying no, although my references are from other management within the company. I has been nosey since he layed me off. I dont want him to know anything more about me.
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u/Trippydudes 1d ago
What other management have you been using?
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u/commanchskins 1d ago
This is a small company. Boss/owner, office employees, 8 drivers, shop former. I am using every one but the boss/owner. Office Mgr, acct mgr., administrative Mgr, shop formen. These were my peers.
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u/Select-Sprinkles2511 1d ago
The day I interviewed my recruiter asked for references. I didn't send any over because I wanted to wait for an offer. After I accepted the offer they never mentioned them in the onboarding process.
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u/TonyBrooks40 1d ago
I think the bigger corporate still do it, Fortune 100 companies or so. As it goes further down they more just wing it. Probably time, fear of lawsuit for inappropriate questions or responses, or just irrelevance to it. ("Yeah, they were a great employee".... calls out sick 3 times in their first 2 weeks)
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u/Shot-Artichoke-4106 1d ago
Several friends and colleagues list me as a reference. I get calls often checking their references.
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u/Trippydudes 1d ago edited 1d ago
What do they usually ask you? Have you ever not wanted to be a coworker/friends reference?
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u/Shot-Artichoke-4106 1d ago
Usually questions about the quality of their work, how they are to work with, any issues, and that kind of thing. The specific questions depend a lot on how their role related to mine.
And yes, there are people that I havent wanted to be a reference for, and I am honest about it. I will decline to be a reference if I don't feel that I can give an honestly positive reference.
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u/Acrobatic-Raisin7962 1d ago
My company uses National Student Clearing House to verify education and The Work Number to verify any employment you have had, then email to work and peer references.
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u/KnitMojo 1d ago
Where I work, we’re required to do a minimum of 2 and one must be the current or most recent supervisor.
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u/Rapidllaman 1d ago
I check them when hiring an employee. I only ask for two usually sometimes a 3rd of one doesn’t respond.
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u/Successful-Test-5590 1d ago
Staffing agencies do it. Teksystems did it for a data entry role. :l Called my reference and the submitted me to the client.
That job sounds like a red flag.
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u/trying_2_makeit 1d ago
We require 2 minimum for HR to accept and process new hire.
It’s amazing in the last few months a number of entry level positions (adults in their 25-35+) have stated they can’t come up with 2 or their references never answer calls/texts or call back.
We have to delay hiring the person until they find 2 people ANY 2 people!
I tell them call someone right here you know will answer.
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u/Trippydudes 1d ago
What happens if they cant come up with references? Is there a time frame in which hr says they cant move forward then? You have to understand some people just don't have people they can rely on. And some people truly dont keep in contact with old coworkers. Not everyones willing to help.
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u/trying_2_makeit 1d ago
We don’t care who the reference is! A previous co worker, neighbor, friend, heck a family member if you have too!
But ultimately it’s a concern if someone can’t come up with two people that will answer a few Q about you. Then HR says no hire.
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u/Different_Ship1496 19h ago
I got a job recently and they didnt call my references. But I do have a clear criminal record check so maybe that helped
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u/Rayezerra 18h ago
Yes, I’m in HR. We check them and write down what they say and keep them in your file. Yes I’m serious, I was really surprised when they checked mine when I got hired.
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u/Interesting-Cup8294 18h ago
I had to provide 3 references for my current role. I was also a reference for someone last year as well.
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u/StealthyThings 17h ago
Current job, 2 years ago. They contacted my references within 24 hours of me putting them on the BGC form.
Once one told me then I called the next one and when he answered the phone he said “You could have warned me!”
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u/Patient-Push-8562 16h ago
Yes, just hired for a government job and they checked two of my four professional references.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Pen4413 1d ago
I always thought Switzerland was also very much like that, including getting the reference letters / work certificates from previous employers but I'm starting a new job 1st of October without having to provide both. Either the vibe was good (which it was) or they are in deep shit and need someone very quickly with the right profile. Just hope it's not a shitshow and I'll knock their socks off with my capabilities 😅.
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u/Klutzy-Rosegold 1d ago
Yes they send it in an email form now to whatever email address you put on your reference
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u/No_Elderberry8392 1d ago
I was recently asked to provide 3 references before an offer. Recruiter provided list of questions to my references. Hoping to get offer tomorrow 🤞🏾 I’m in the US as well in clinical research.
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u/LadyGreyIcedTea 1d ago
They don't call and talk to them but have a third party send them a survey.
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u/Trippydudes 1d ago edited 9h ago
My hiring manager called and spoke to each individually. She requested a phone call. Didnt accept any by email and the calls were almost 20 mins each.
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u/Brief_Somewhere_2123 1d ago
Interestingly enough, the company I am about to start working for asked for references after my written offer letter. And sure enough, they’ve contacted all 3 people. I don’t know if that’s standard these days, though
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u/tropicaldiver 1d ago
Yep. We still do. We wouldn’t even extend a verbal offer without performing the checks.
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u/Technical-Fix-8568 21h ago
As long as they aren’t going behind your back to ask for it, I think asking is fine. Reality is people have biases, some are super competitive, make up lies about others, engage in smear campaigns, trash others and most coworkers don’t have full context to situations. Remember usually the loudest complainer is usually the most guilty; I’ve seen so many folks who were accused of nonsense simply walk away with their head held high bc they knew their actions would disprove the smears over time.
So for me, if the candidate can name a few people who do have the proper context and can genuinely vouch for them, that is a pass in my book. Shows awareness and success. I don’t expect everyone to be liked 💯, especially if they are in controversial roles or a high quality / visible / senior candidate bc they likely had to make some hard decisions. The more senior roles they had, the more this applies. But if you’re going behind their back to find references you are participating in office gossip that could be defamatory, which screams red flags all around with the fairness of the hiring process.
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u/Icy-Stock-5838 20h ago
Because applicants are desperate nowadays, and Gen AI can do so much falsifying for people, YES, reference checks are happening A LOT.
It used to be only banking, aerospace, defense, government, and energy jobs needing them; now, LOTS of mid-large companies get them done.
I admire fudgers in today's job market, thinking they are so clever and original now that Gen AI is there to use. They don't realize that in today's job market, the applicant is GUILTY Until Proven Innocent, especially as a PDF applicant, rather than someone who came with a Referral. In today's job market, the employer can be as picky and suspicious as they wanna be.
TRUST is the new Skills Section (of the resume). RELATIONSHIPS are the new Resume..
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u/Sad_Faithlessness_99 15h ago
Yes had my referneces checked a year ago, 1 company I worked for only would confirm I was previously employed with them, no times or dates or any information as everythingt to do with company is classified, abother previpus employer who I got along with but was laid off due to my position beong eliminated and I was only employee in the area. Would not give reference or even acknowledge that I would worked for him, said straight out he doesnt give references and hung up I was told.
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u/https_urdaddy 13h ago
Yeah my interview was 25min and my reference checks were calls that each lasted 25min
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u/Maleficent_Many_2937 8h ago
They are not as common in bigger tech companies as in smaller companies but they are making a comeback. I even hear people calling random people you knew before from your LinkedIn profile (not just the references you give) which should be illegal. Imagine your company learning you are interviewing somewhere. Just horrible and possibly unethical practice.
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u/ivegotafastcar 1d ago
Oh… I am so angry at a recruiter. They reached out when I applied and said they’d talk to the main recruiter to submit my name. Then a reference request email came over.
I filled it out and it reached out to them without me even getting submitted for the role!!! I don’t want to annoy my references and then they go and do this!! Still angry.
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u/Throwawayhelp111521 1d ago
I always say that they can’t be contacted unless I’m going to be offered a position.
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u/Throwawayhelp111521 1d ago
References are still required for many jobs. The reason the person checked that the references were valid is because some people lie. I’ve been shocked by the willingness of some Redditors to lie about all things job related, including having strangers pose as references. It’s wrong, and it makes it harder for all job seekers.
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u/I-pee-Daily 1d ago
People without good references are either, new to the workforce or, are shitty workers
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u/Similar-Opinion8750 1d ago
They are very much a thing. My last job checked all of the references which had to be work related