Do employers really still ask for, and contact, job references?

Question

I'm looking to obtain a new job, and while I have a lot of great references, I was just wondering if it was still common for future employers to check on references. It seems that any reference is going to be positive, so what's the point in this fast-paced world. Can anyone shed some light?

Answer 1

I absolutely check references and everything you put on your resume. I'd rather find out before I hire someone if they can be trusted. I've not hired a couple of people because they said they had a degree, experience, training, etc that in fact they didn't have. Funny thing is that in every case the thing they lied about wasn't a deal breaker.

References are the proof you offer to say where and when you worked at a company. As another poster said your old employers will be reluctant to say anything other than your title and when you worked there. AFAIK there isn't any law that prevents them from saying more, but if your old company says you are something you are not they are potentially liable to law suits from them or you.

Personal references reveal a lot as well. You are correct in assuming most of them are glowing. But every once in a while you will get one that is truly interesting. For example, I worked with a guy 8 years ago. I thought he was OK, not great, but not a total idiot either. When he asked if I'd give a personal reference for him I said OK. He got the job, and I thought that was the last I'd see of him. Well every 18 months since then I've gotten a call from some employer this guy is wanting to work for. As you can guess my reference has gotten less glowing with each new call. I haven't talked to the guy for 8 years yet he's still using my name. Would you hire him?

So the best policy is 100% truth and make sure your references match what your resume says. Oh and at least call your personal references every once in a while.

Answer 2

interior the united kingdom maximum interest application varieties will state while they intend to ask for references. The norm is which you tick a container, or some thing comparable, to point which you do not prefer them to be contacted purely before an interview. If that's not the case, and you're in employment now, i might make an fact on the type to make it clean what you need. no person is going to recommendations in case you ask them to attitude references later. there is no ingredient in making issues worse in a modern interest if its in basic terms for a speculative place.

Answer 3

Sure, they will check your references. But by law, the references can only say certain things. Did you work there, from what date to what date, what was your job description. They can't say "he was a bum, don't hire him." Or you can sue them.

Any reference will not necessarily be positive. People try to get around this by asking, would you hire him again? If you were in my shoes, would you hire him?

Answer 4

Yes they do ask for references and some do contact what they talk about I can't answer but I have been refused jobs before reasons not given.

Answer 5

In addition to references (and you'd be surprised, not all of them come back as positive as you might think), most companies now do background checks to verify education, previous emploment, and criminal records.