Nairobi

What are you thoughts on employer needing to check your references before making an offer?

I think references are somewhat useless because the people we give are obviously going to say good things about us.

I recently went through 2 final interview rounds at two different companies, and one took forever to contact my references before giving me an offer. Meanwhile, the other company gave me an offer after a few hours of my final round; no references were needed. The company that took forever to check my references said that it's because they do their due diligence very carefully, even though they know that the references will say good things about the candidate.

So it got me thinking do people think that a company that contacts their references is better than one that doesn't?

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👥 Hiring

28 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

What about the references that don't answer the phone? How would they decide?

Seriously. I don't think one is better than the other. But it DOES give you a glimpse of what their internal processes look like. Might be a good warning.

Nairobi

Politicker

That's what made me decide between the two companies. They couldn't reach out to one of my references because his email bounced at first, and instead of contacting my contact via other channels like a phone call, they just waited until I got an offer and then hurried up lol... like you are in sales, one channel might not work, but you can call or LI message

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Well here in NY you are only legally allowed to confirm employment, and nothing more. My last company hired a 3rd party to do background checks and confirm employment. They were also not allowed to contact any previous employers who did not have a publicly listed phone number. Considering that many of my previous jobs were private, it became quite a problem.

New employer didn’t do jack. They knew who my connections were, so that’s all they cared about I guess 🤷‍♀️

Nairobi

Politicker

Oh interesting, didn’t know that about NY and I’m in NY.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

I think employment references are a total waste of time overall. Now, I'm not talking about asking around to your network about someone, but the formal references candidates list.

Like you said, people are only going to list references that are going to give a glowing review. What's the point? Sure, verify position/tenure/are they eligible for rehire that sort of thing but anything beyond is worthless imo. The only exception would be for leadership/executive positions, I think it's worth checking for those.

If you can't form your own impression from me and trust that I'm telling the truth, don't hire me.

Nairobi

Politicker

You’re right for leadership/executive positions it would be useful.

That’s legit what I was thinking when that company said they couldn’t give me an offer until they talk to all my references...

ThomasRCallahanIII

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

I wouldn't use this as a benchmark. Some companies do it as part of compliance or as a CYA. Doesn't necessarily mean it's "better" than the other.

That said. I would use the length of time they took to check your references as a benchmark for what their other internal processes look like that may impact your job i.e. legal, sales ops, marketing, etc. and ask questions around it.

Nairobi

Politicker

That's what I was thinking as well. I did ask them questions about it because it took them five days to contact two people, and it wasn't because of their process but simply because one of my references couldn't be reached out by email, even though I provided them his phone + LinkedIn.

someoneinsales

Tycoon

Director of Sales

Asking for references is dumb. Back channel referencing is becoming more common. If you are looking at a company that needs to talk to references, you are probably walking into a lot of procedures that need to be followed to the T.

Nairobi

Politicker

That's how I felt, and it turned me off, so I decided to go with the other company.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

I have no issue with doing references. I have a serious issue with them taking forever to do it.

Doing or not doing references does not make a company superior. But how you value somebody's time - that's important!

Nairobi

Politicker

AMEN, it doesn’t take forever to contact two people... I’m curious to know how long is too long for you?

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

One business week at the maximum.

Kevinbacon

Opinionated

Sales Manager

Agreed. I usually point them to my LinkedIn recommendations which i make sure to get from every job. Stupid outdate part of the process

Nairobi

Politicker

It really is a stupid outdated part. Smart move for your LI recommendations, I need to start doing that. Do you ask people to write you recommendation when you leave a Job or before that?

Kevinbacon

Opinionated

Sales Manager

I've done it both ways, but usually my move is to ask right after i've done something for someone or over beers lol.

DataSlangah

Politicker

SAE

Did you tell your references to say "Vandelay?"

Nairobi

Politicker

Tbh I had to google Vandelay 😅 but now I get the reference and it’s funny, I should have done that!

DataSlangah

Politicker

SAE

I guess I am showing my age - LOL!

Nairobi

Politicker

Hahaha mine too! But I also grew up in the French part of Canada; not too many people know about Seinfeld.

Sky

Good Citizen

Corporate Sales Engineer

I have an issue when they take forever to get back.

Nairobi

Politicker

Right, that triggers me.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

I get why they do it. But I do not think it adds any value.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

I think employment references are a total waste of time overall. Now, I'm not talking about asking around to your network about someone, but the formal references candidates list.

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

New employer didn’t do jack.

Flippinghubs

Opinionated

Account Executive

there for a reason, but can be redundant i find more often than not and timely

pizzasavage

Contributor

Account Executive, Partner/Client Success

I worked at a company once who strictly obtained references to flip them into sale prospects.

I am in the same boat-not sure I am comfortable with useless checks.

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

What about the references that don't answer the phone? How would they decide?

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Nairobi

What are you thoughts on employer needing to check your references before making an offer?

28 comments

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