I'm on my fourth full-time job. I've been asked for references 2 out of 4 times. My references have been contacted from just one of my past employers.
As an aside, it seems to me like it's always worth asking for and contacting someone's references (but only as the final step before giving an offer... as a candidate, I don't appreciate employers calling my references unless they are serious about hiring me). To me, it's a red flag if someone can't find 2 people to say good things about them. But in practice, many employers don't seem to put in the effort to call references.
I was hired (W2) by a staffing firm to fill a role. I interviewed with the client where I would be doing the work, and was offered the contract position. As part of the onboarding process with the staffing firm, I was then asked for references which they checked.
I wonder what would have happened if my references didn't check out. Would they then inform the customer that I wasn't available? Would they turn their back on almost a $100,000 in revenue (the portion they would take from my contract)?
Related question: is it considered bad form to give a recruiter reference contacts, without first asking those contacts for permission?
Also, what should one do, when one's previous employers (and thus potential references) are also employers from whom we are currently evaluating competing job offers?
> is it considered bad form to give a recruiter reference contacts, without first asking those contacts for permission?
When I was last looking for work, I called up my references and told them that I'm applying to jobs over the next few months and asked if it would be okay to list them as references. One of them said "no problem". The other said also said no problem, but "it would be helpful if you shoot me a warning when I should expect a call, if possible".
Basically, just ask your references. It's bad form on the part of recruiters/employers to contact your references without telling you explicitly first, but it happens, so it's good to have your references on board.
You should let them know. Ask if it's okay, but more importantly, get them your resume and let them know what you're interviewing for so that they can speak to the relevant parts of your experience.
That said, I'm an open reference for a few folks, meaning I've told them to list me as needed and I'll pick up the phone. I know these folks pretty well, and they know me well enough to know that I don't need to prep for something like that.
Yes, but it's only one source of information among many. I don't assume they sources of the references are telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but I do consider what they say.
Hiring is a complex game, and I want all the information I can get.
> XXXX is an applicant for a post we have here, and I'd appreciate anything you can tell me about them. Obviously I'm interested in their abilities and attitude, but I'd like to know anything you'd like to tell me. And of course, I will treat anything you say as confidential.
I'm looking for inconsistencies in stories, and then giving the candidate the best possible opportunity to provide evidence that they will provide value for the company, and be happy in their work.
Our general policy as a company is to ask for references and also to ask permission to get other references from within our network (obviously excluding anyone who works at current employer).
Once when I was still practicing law - references are really common in that industry (as is your law school and whether you did law review mattering 5-10 years later!)
The other time when I worked in higher education. It was a technical role, but it's really common in higher ed.
Both times, those references got phone calls. As a matter of my own process, I won't submit references until we're close to the offer stage.
It depends on the information provided to reach them. I usually try to make contact in a verifiable format; business email, at work number, etc. if these options ar not available, then I will usually speak with people on the phone and ask that they text or email me a copy of their business card for future contact (because it is something tangible I can put with my notes, etc.).
I have even met individuals for dinner when I have been filling an executive position.
As an aside, it seems to me like it's always worth asking for and contacting someone's references (but only as the final step before giving an offer... as a candidate, I don't appreciate employers calling my references unless they are serious about hiring me). To me, it's a red flag if someone can't find 2 people to say good things about them. But in practice, many employers don't seem to put in the effort to call references.