Comments on: 7 Things You Need to Know About References

By: Carla

Carla — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:04:33 +0000

It is very difficult in this day and age to keep up with key people you’ve worked with in the past due to layoffs, promotions, going on leave, etc and not everyone uses LinkedIn. I’m lucky if I have the contact information from people I’ve worked with two years ago.

In terms of the web, I guess I’m screwed! If a potential employer Googled me, they will know that I have MS AND on disability. I don’t plan on staying on disability forever and they will know that I had to leave my last job because of it. They will also know that I have a online store (that may be in conflict with company policies).

By: Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius | LeanStartups.com

Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius | LeanStartups.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:05:00 +0000

@Kerry, I simply refuse to work for companies that would treat me like a number. I know the value I bring to the companies and amount of work I put in. I expect respect at every stage. Poor treatment during interviews is absolute indication how rotten then company is from inside.
No, you will not find out what I made before that (it is NDAed information anyway and is none of your business), no you don’t get my SS# or get to run your background checks until there is an offer on the table. Period.

I have that belief my entire career and never had a problem landing with an awesome company. Our lives are too short to work for assholes.
.-= Apolinaras “Apollo” Sinkevicius | LeanStartups.com´s last blog ..Beware of corporate cockroaches =-.

By: Tim G

Tim G — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:09:22 +0000

I called for a verification once and got a reference along the way. Started out glowing, and then he said “but Joe’s firing was all a misunderstanding. He didn’t really do anything wrong.”
It was a misunderstanding all right, I misunderstood that he left on good terms.
.-= Tim G´s last blog ..6 Contemplations During My Run Today =-.

By: Ask a Manager

Ask a Manager — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:54:00 +0000

I'm suspicious of any employer that calls references before they've even interviewed you. Checking references is a pain in the ass; there's no point in doing it until you know you might be interested in hiring the person. So if employers are doing it before that stage, they aren't run very efficiently. .-= Ask a Manager´s last blog ..5 reasons to turn down a job offer =-.

By: abdpbt

abdpbt — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:33:37 +0000

I'm so glad I'm not going through this process right now. There are like 800 thousand things about me on the internet, and I'm not sure they'd be great for getting me a job for any employer other than myself. .-= abdpbt´s last blog ..27 Underexplored Career Paths For Sociopaths =-.

By: RunningHorse

RunningHorse — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:05:16 +0000

Sometimes references are checked between a first interview and the second. If you don’t give out your references when asked, you’ve cut off your nose to spite your face as your application with that organization will end right there. And at times, some companies will check references before they call applicants for an interview. If you sign the application, the company has a right to do this. Some states have laws against black-listing and in those states, it’s darned near impossible to get a negative ref. check.

By: Kerry Sandberg Scott

Kerry Sandberg Scott — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:34:46 +0000

I’d agree that when possible, you shouldn’t give out your reference info until you’re at the reference-checking stage.

However, for people applying for lower-level jobs (or even higher-level jobs that require an online application), this can be tricky. Many employers won’t consider you if you refuse to complete the application, and online applications won’t let you move to the next screen without it. Reference are part of just about every application.

Positions in certain fields, like education and government jobs, also require the submission of references with your resume.

I think it’s rare that these folks are actually calling at this early stage…but for many candidates, refusing to give reference until the offer stage just isn’t an option.

But where it IS an option, I’d agree that it’s the best approach.

By: Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius | LeanStartups.com

Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius | LeanStartups.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:18:06 +0000

I won't even give reference contact information until I am sure of you extending me an offer (FT or consulting). All of my references are executives. They are OK with me giving out their cellphone numbers, because they know I will only allow someone to bother them if it is a solid opportunity. Market might not be the best, but I am not going to hurt my relationships with those people for an employer who does not respect my references as much as I do. I just don't sacrifice long term for short term benefit. .-= Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius | LeanStartups.com´s last blog ..Random lessons from 12 years in startups =-.

By: Tweets that mention 7 Things You Need to Know About References -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention 7 Things You Need to Know About References -- Topsy.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:02:37 +0000

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By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:20:18 +0000

Unfortunately all of my contacts live in another city, no one ever hears of jobs where I am. Ho-hum. This economy sucks.