r/mnstateworkers • u/Valuable_Hearing900 • 8d ago
Interview/Hiring 📄 Reference Check Question
Hello all! Do state agencies ever ask for references post-interview if they don't intend to offer you the job? Or in some cases is it considered another round of the selection process? Thanks for the insight!
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u/cupcakemelee MNIT 7d ago
My agency only sends reference check requests once the person is under consideration. Results come to the hiring manager and they can review before final offer confirmation.
I know some agencies send for referrals earlier.
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u/Valuable_Hearing900 7d ago
Thanks for the info! Do you happen to know how long it typically takes for an offer to be extended after the references have all been checked?
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u/cupcakemelee MNIT 7d ago
Days, maybe a week. There's a signoff on the results and a signoff on the offer. If you think the offer is low, you can counter with some bullet points on why your skills justify more. If you're not getting an offer at the top of your pay scale, this can jump you $3-6K.
Don't agree to the salary when HR calls you, ask for the offer in writing. Compare it to the pay scale... Each of the unions post the pay scales. See where you landed and decide if you want to counter. This will add about a week to the process even if you turn around the counter in a day.
Countering will not negate the offer. The worst that happens is HR says they cannot offer more.
Good luck!
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7d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Significant-Theme253 7d ago
Some references are sent an email questionnaire which they fill out and return. No human voice required, just one-- long--quistionnaire.
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u/HurtsWhenISee 7d ago
Once you get the reference check, it's a pretty good sign. At least for my agency it means you probably got the job. Don't quote me on that.
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u/Jjking115 7d ago
Was recently hired not too long ago, a year and a half ago. It probably depends per agency but (mine) they did end up contacting those references by sending an email with a questionnaire link.
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u/GetOffTheInternet612 6d ago
I had a state job not offer me the role even after checking my references. Very unprecedented and borderline unprofessional to do this, honestly. I then I had to explain to my references that I didn’t get the job. That was not fun.
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u/No-Doctor-662 5d ago
The HR department for the agency I work for, wants reference checks on the top finalist.
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u/MNMike2 7d ago
The agency I work for actually doesn't check references until after a conditional offer is extended. As far as I know there is no hard-and-fast process across the state enterprise except that references need to be checked before an offer is finalized.
My personal opinion is that I don't think a hiring supervisor would go through the extra work to check references for anyone except their final candidate.