References

Cgoodie

Just looking for other people's views on this and particularly any employers on boards. Are references as relevant now as they have been in the past or do prospective employers place much emphasis on them?

Having been on a few interview boards I would not place too much emphasis on references that are given. A lot of references are often to Managers in previous companies that the employee had a good relationship with and not their direct manager. Therefore I would take them with a pinch of salt with regard to their truthfullness.

Offy

Deleted User wrote: »

Having been on a few interview boards I would not place too much emphasis on references that are given. A lot of references are often to Managers in previous companies that the employee had a good relationship with and not their direct manager. Therefore I would take them with a pinch of salt with regard to their truthfullness.

+1

Will_H

Deleted User wrote: »

I would not place too much emphasis on references that are given. A lot of references are often to Managers in previous companies that the employee had a good relationship with and not their direct manager.

I find that extremely hard to comprehend. I've been on both sides of the table regarding references and would expect to speak to a potential candidates former [direct] manager; otherwise, what's the point of a reference??? Taking on someone whose references you have not checked thoroughly is bad management in my opinion. You could be taking on someone who is not suitable for the company, plus you could have to fire & re-hire which is costing the company money.

Also, when an employer has wanted to speak to my references, I have always asked them to wait until I have spoken to them first, explaining that I want to give them the courtesy of letting them know who is calling them & why.

OP - references are important, keep in touch with them over your career (it's good manners!), and always make sure you speak to yours before any potential employer does should you get to that stage.

yeahimhere

I've found a mixed bag - they're essential for some employers and not for others. My current job didn't ask for references because their interview stages were fairly intense including completing an actual mini project! I asked them about references afterwards and they said they didn't see much benefit in them. They try to gauge a persons personality and their actual skills throughout the interviews. Personally, I think that's the best way to hire someone but it doesn't usually happen. I've had a few other jobs which asked for references but didn't actually call them, my old boss told me afterwards! Not sure if that was more down to forgetfulness, it was just a formality to ask and raise a red flag if you couldn't come up with them, or the fact they weren't that worried.

To be safe it's always good to keep in contact with old managers because 9 times out of 10 you'll need a reference as it's common practice to ask for them.

Jim2007

Cgoodie wrote: »

Just looking for other people's views on this and particularly any employers on boards. Are references as relevant now as they have been in the past or do prospective employers place much emphasis on them?

Only if you have not got any! Seriously if you have already been working and are not able to produce some, it will certainly make people wonder about you.

As to content I doubt companies place much reliance on them.

Jim.

Miranda7

I think references are very important. Of course a candidate will put down some one with whom they have a good working relationship but you'd be surprised at how many people cannot get a good reference. As an employer I would look at the grade of the person named as a referee - what position they had in the company and whether they were the candidates line manager. When the reference arrives I would look at it carefully. YOu can tell a lot about a candidate by what is LEFT OUT of a reference as well as what is put in. referees should be carefully chosen by the candidate - choose one who knows you well and who will give you a good reference. You'd be surprised by the mistakes candidates make when choosing a referee. Sometimes they haven't rung the referee and when the potential employer contacts them they are out of the country or on a sabbatical or have left the job. Do be careful about who you choose. I have been in a position of having the tell a candidate that I would not be going ahead with the appointment because I couldn't track down any of her referees despite several attempts. She offered to nominate new referees but I felt that she showed a serious lack of 'cop on' by not checking out if her original referees were available. On the other hand I know one person who only has to recruit occassionally and he says he never checks references.

Cgoodie

Thanks for replying, it's good to hear different views on it.