Hi,

My OH had a job interview today which went well. He had already met his 'would be' boss and then today met 2 of the Directors. He received an email from the HR person this afternoon saying that the 'next step' was to undertake his references and he has to do a personality test on-line.

We are confused as to whether this is a next step that they are doing to several candidates or whether he actually has the job pending references and test results.

In the UK he would probably have been told that he has the job pending references but we don't want to get our hopes up that this is the case here......would an employer be likely to get references and tests from a few candidates before making their final decision? His current employers are absolutely appalling and needs to leave ASAP so we are hopeful!

Thank you
Melanie

I think that it would be quite usual for a company to check references, etc. before they hire someone.

In the last position I applied for the company called up at least one of my references (my former boss). I know for sure because the old boss called me and offered me a job

Why not ask if you don't know? Anybody on here will just be guessing.

If he's not been told he's got the job pending reference, then don't get your hopes up.

Perhaps.

He will ask on Monday, it was late this afternoon he got the email. I was just hoping that someone may be able to help over the weekend and tell me this is common practice!

It's common practice. Sometimes.

Really, how TF would we know?

Sometimes Novo, your such a bitch....

Thank you so much for your help!!! I was just wondering if it was customary to seek references before making any kind of conditional offer but I will wonder elsewhere now.

In my experience companies will check references before any offer conditional or not.

An employer could easily say to 3 candidates that they have a job pending references, and give the job to the person with the best references, and not be lying to any one!

The "better" the job, the more usual it is to check references.

"Better" meaning, requiring more experience, contextual knowledge etc.

Having hired a few teachers in my past job I always checked every reference, and gave more weight to that than the interview: though to be honest I often knew the referees since teaching is a small community.

Why thank you sir! One does one's best.

Isn't that being a bit pedantic?

Cannot speak for other businesses, but we only take up references when we are planning on offering the job to a candidate. The personality type tests are usually quite expensive, so not done for the sake of it. We would not offer a job until the process is complete and based on the results. Cannot speak for other companies though.

Yes, but bloody hilarious. You know me.

Ditto where I work. A bad reference would completely scupper any chance of an offer though.

It was funny, but it didn't make want to shag you though.