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References -Written vs.Oral

  • 26-01-2004 6:57pm
    #1
    emertoff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 114 ✭✭


    Hi All,

    I am expecting to receive a job offer in the next 24 hours after it was strongly hinted at the second interview today. I brought two written references with me in my folder to the interview plus a character reference. But they did not want to see them and said Head Office would "deal" with that part. I have made a lot of applications recently so I don't put down names on my CV. In part, that leads to my question.

    Since I have written references - one from my last manager whom I got on very well with, but he is extremely busy (and hence preferred giving me a written reference) and another from the owner of a business that I worked for (it was company policy for this guy to give all references, and not the person you worked under). These are the genuine article, both on company stationery.

    So, if they ask for phone numbers, what should I do? I will sound as if I have something to hide if I offer to fax them written references or what? My last manager would help me I'm sure, but the other company wouldn't even know who I was at this stage.

    Is an applicant bound to supply contact phone numbers for referees?
    I would appreciate your views.


Comments

  • #2
    WhiteWashMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,099 ✭✭✭✭WhiteWashMan


    most probably they have proceedures for references.
    they will most likely contact the HR department of you last place of work and ask if you worked there, and what you position was.
    pretty much all there is to it. if they ask you to give references, ask which they want, and give them the info, but more than likely they will just look your last place of work inthe phone book and call them.
    nought to worry about :)


  • #3
    eth0_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭eth0_


    I don't think HR depts are in the practice of taking written refs as gospel these days, they're just too easy to fake, being on company stationary doesn't mean a thing, we all have access to our company's stationary :)
    If your written refs are good then what are you worrying about? :)


  • #4
    leeroybrown
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,563 ✭✭✭leeroybrown


    You also have to bear in mind that written references are only as good as the opinion of the person who supplied them and the date they were issued.

    I always provide contact details (phone, email) for 2 or 3 referees (with concent) on my CV and offer to provide additional referees on request. I prefer to have oral referees listed as I think that employers place more weight on them.

    If I were running recruitments I would have a strong preference towards oral referees.

    As far as I'm concerned the easier you make it to contact your referees the less likely a recruiter will be to bin your CV.


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