Vicky88

Just wondering for those of you who have gone thru this process, did potential employers actually check your references?

Reason I ask is I have an interview with an agency tomorrow and they want 3 contactable references. All mine are in the UK or Australia. So I am wondering if they will bother or if they will just pass me over because it will all be far too hard.

Jaxbar

Company I have applied for called UK last week and took up references over phone They asked me how to place the call so its obviously not something they do often but seemed happy to.

BigDavyG

I transferred from a UK subsidiary so I'm pretty sure that no references were checked in depth.
Could you maybe draft up a document containing pre-written references from those on your list - that way any potential employers will be able to get the gist of things from reading your stuff and they'll just have to make a quick phone call to your referees to make sure that you haven't completely made the stuff up !!

Good luck anyway

Kate2112

My employer admitted only calling one of the three I named, but yes they did check.

Jerseygirl

Suppose it depends on the position. For a senior position yes, they will even contact the UK to confirm educational qualifications. Most large companies use an agency to do background checks.

Eskimo

theres some opinions on this buried in here

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=360350

in my case yes they did check - and yes its very strict IMHO

mickmills

I changed job a few months ago.
Had 3 references, 1 in the US, 2 in the UK.
The company did not contact any of them.

Hope that helps?

BigDavyG

It sounds like you were lucky enough to stumble across an employer with a bit of common sense - if you get the offer I'd def take it.

How come your post count has gone - are you ashamed of something ??

Jaxbar

When OH gets back this week he will know that all I have been doing is jobsearch

AdobePinon

My experience is that employers usually either make phone calls, or send emails. Actual reference 'letters' are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. With this in mind, they usually do check (at least when I'm involved).

BigDavyG

Employers are often extremely suspicious of hippys though (and quite rightly in my opinion)

Vicky88

Thanks for that info, kind of gels with what I thought would happen.

Personally I think my references are a waste of time as I have not worked full time since 1998. I figure they may contact 1 and if that is favourable leave it at that. I'm not too worried if they contact them all, after all it's hardly likely I would be thick enough to give referees that are likely to bag me.

What is stupid about this whole reference thing is if they think I am crap they can sack me in a heartbeat without any comeback so what is the big deal?

The interview is with an agency for a job I applied for from Craigslist. Of course the job description did not mention the agency, so I am assuming that I won't even make the short list for interview for the position I applied for, but they will make me do the testing etc. so I can be added to their books so if they get some pathetic filing job paying $12 bucks an hour they will call me. Not expecting to get much from the experience, but will do me good to get out there and practice my interview skills.

User Name

My firm wanted to hire someone part time and interviewed a few candidates and narrowed out choice down to one, then we selected a recent employer listed on her resume and contacted the HR Dept. The HR department said she never worked for them. We stopped checking after that and we did not hire her. So yes, some employers will check references. Frankly, if the job on offer involves confidential and/or sensitive information, the employer should apply due diligence. I know that some firms hire private detective firms who do background checks, which they perform based on the candidate's listed SS # and credit background. The candidate is obliged to provide permission to do such background checks. I really think that is a bit over the top, but I guess these firms like to cross the teas and dot the eyes! By the way (btw), does any know how to spell Mississippi with one "I"?

AdobePinon

That's the spirit!
Obviously depends on the circumstances. There are a lot of employers who do this without good cause. Along with the piss tests and all that. I was once involved in a hire where some history issues arose during interviews - I actually had to drive over to the previous employer and have a little sit down vis-a-vis to appease the HR dept. Man, that was ugly.

User Name

Yes, but the prospective employer should get the candidates permission to access the candidates credit history and/or security background checks - with separate permissions signed by the candidate to cover requests for police checks (check for arrests, etc.) for each state that the candidate has lived in . Like I said, "I really think that is a bit over the top, but I guess these firms like to cross the teas and dot the eyes! ..." It is sadly becoming par the course.