do employers call the references even if you have reference letters?

Question

say the job is a service job
and what if you don't think those references will remember you?
but the details in the letters aren't that great

Answer 1

Employers can still call references. If a reference doesn't remember you, all they are required to do is verify whether or not you were employed with them or not. They are not required to say if you were a good worker or not.

Answer 2

As a suggestion, always alert your references when you provide them to a prospective employer. If they don't remember you, that's kind of a problem. Letters are pretty useless; may open a door, nice to use as a leave behind along with a resume or application (can help you to stand out) but easy to fake and therefore employers will almost always check a reference or two via phone. ...Typically, they also do background checks today as it's pretty inexpensive and can point to issues with people's backgrounds.

There's a lot of liability in hiring someone these days, no matter what the position, so employers have gotten much more careful. Generally, they go back about 10 years checking...

Hope this helps

Answer 3

I take the reference letters at face value. I seldom call for references because most companies will no longer give them. They will usually only give first and last date, title, they may confirm the pay rate, and they may answer if they would be willing to rehire you. Otherwise, too many people will sue them so they don't answer questions about character, capability or anything else. Except, they should let someone know if there was a violence problem because they could be sued for not letting the next employer know and something bad happens.
Try to represent yourself the best you can in your interview.

Answer 4

I got hired for a job that took me 2 weeks to finally get. They kept saying that had to call my references. Found out, they never did!

Answer 5

They check references as well as validate your resume. If they find you are lying you will not be hired or could fire you for lying on your resume if found out later (ie taking a new job in a different department that had it checked out).

Answer 6

Especially if you have letters of reference.

Answer 7

Do a better job and you will get better references. If the job is low level usually they won't bother calling.

Answer 8

Of course good employers will. Who knows where those letters really came from? Your best friend could've wrote them!

Answer 9

yes. reference letters can be forged or written by your friend for all they know. if no one remembers you at the old place then that's your loss. but they will check.

Answer 10

they call to confirm employment. old employers do not have to give any other information like that unless they choose to. at least in NC it's illegal to ask anything else.
it's just verifying your application, that's all, if you lied then you'll get caught, if not, don't worry