When can prospective employers ring my referees

Strokesfan

I've had a couple of interviews and just wanted to know if prospective employers can check your references before or after giving you the job - I'm hoping it's after they've given you the job offer because I've done a couple of interviews and am hoping my referees won't be getting fed up with people contacting them.

Karoma

You shouldn't provide references until prospective employers ask for them.
Otherwise, they may contact them whenever suits them.

leeroybrown

Typically most employers won't check your references until after they have decided that they are willing to offer you a job. It's hassle for them and most employers will have the common sense to realise that someone doesn't want their current employer to be contacted unless necessary. Also, there is always a chance that the referee turns out to be the candidates best mate or a manager who will say anything they them to. I couldn't put any exact numbers on it but I would suggest that the majority of the time they aren't even checked.

If you are worried about it then in future do as Karoma suggests and put 'referees available on request'. It also frees up some space on your CV that you mighe be able to use to your advantage.

slave1

Our company (Irish multi) insists on two excellent references prior to job offer, if we get negative references then no job offer

seamus

Always, always put "referees available on request" on your CV. Never let an employer ring your references without formally offering you the job first. References should only prove two things to employers - You worked where you claimed, at what you claimed, and you were a good worker. References should never be used to compare candidates.

professore

seamus wrote:

Always, always put "referees available on request" on your CV. Never let an employer ring your references without formally offering you the job first. References should only prove two things to employers - You worked where you claimed, at what you claimed, and you were a good worker. References should never be used to compare candidates.

Speaking as an employer myself, how can they formally offer you the job if they don't check you referees first? If the referees say you are a lazy kleptomaniac pyromaniac how can they withdraw the job offer?

I would say they will only check if they think you are a strong possibility for the job - do you seriously think they are going to go through 100's of CV's and ring all the references? I certainly won't.

"referees available on request" says to me that this person has something to hide and is not to be trusted - e.g. s/he has to make up a few if offered the job - but that's just me.

Finally, references are not the be all and end all - I know a few bosses who would always give glowing references and some who would give crap references - but I guess "perception is reality".

MrPudding

professore wrote:

Speaking as an employer myself, how can they formally offer you the job if they don't check you referees first? If the referees say you are a lazy kleptomaniac pyromaniac how can they withdraw the job offer?

I would say they will only check if they think you are a strong possibility for the job - do you seriously think they are going to go through 100's of CV's and ring all the references? I certainly won't.

"referees available on request" says to me that this person has something to hide and is not to be trusted - e.g. s/he has to make up a few if offered the job - but that's just me.

Finally, references are not the be all and end all - I know a few bosses who would always give glowing references and some who would give crap references - but I guess "perception is reality".

I would alway give references on request and have never had a problem with that.

In my experience the job is offered before references are checked. The job is offered "subject to reference check." This has been my experience in several companies in NI, a small Irish company and an American multi national operating in Ireland.

The only time my references have been requested and checked prior to a job offer was when I was applying for a contract in the UK.

MrP

seamus

professore wrote:

Speaking as an employer myself, how can they formally offer you the job if they don't check you referees first? If the referees say you are a lazy kleptomaniac pyromaniac how can they withdraw the job offer?

As MrPudding says. Any job offer I've ever gotten, the contract specifically states "This job offer is conditional on receipt of satisfactory references". If the referees don't materialise or they're not good, then you ring the candidate and say, "Sorry, I'm going to have to withdraw the offer as I'm not satisfied by the references you've supplied".

I would say they will only check if they think you are a strong possibility for the job - do you seriously think they are going to go through 100's of CV's and ring all the references? I certainly won't.

Ah well, obviously not. But it wouldn't surprise me when, faced with 3 or 4 strong candidates, they ring referees to get more of a comparison. I see the employer's side on this, but for reasons you point out, comparing people on their references isn't fair.

Strokesfan

Thanks, I might say "available on request" in the future - hopefully they'l only ring if I'm a serious contender....