is this unusual?

slowandsteady_2

hi,

thanks for reading.

I applied for a couple of jobs last week and handed the forms in on thurs or fri last week. They were for care home positions, i have worked in nursing and care for years. I have a job at the moment on a zero hours contract which isnt ideal, i am on maternity leave until april so was looking for something permanant to go to when i finish mat leave rather than returning to my present job.

The application for one of the jobs requested one employment reference and one character reference which i provided.

Yesterday, my supervisor at my current job contacted me to let me know she had received a reference request from one of the jobs i applied for, as had my character reference.

I have never known a company to request references before even seeing or interviewing a person, i hadn't even spoken to them on the phone apart from to find out about the application process.

I thought this was a bit odd so decided to ring up today to speak to someone, i wasn't put through to the manager but was told i would hear from them ''when everything was sorted out'' and that they had had ''quite a few applications''.

When i applied there was nothing asking me if i minded them contacting my referees before interview. I dont mind really but i would have appreciated a phone call or something.

Will they do this with every single applicant even if they have had a lot of applicants as they said? Or is this their way of getting the basics done before offering me a position based on my application, with or without a formal interview?

Ive never known a company do this so am a bit confused. I dont want to get my hopes up that ive been successful,and then be disappointed but can't help it!

Thanks for reading, would appreciate any info from anyone who knows about these things

KiKi

slowandsteady wrote: »

Will they do this with every single applicant even if they have had a lot of applicants as they said? Or is this their way of getting the basics done before offering me a position based on my application, with or without a formal interview?

They may have shortlisted a few candidates and taken references on that basis, or they may take references for all candidates and use that in shortlisting. I wouldn't say that they've done it in preparation for offering you a role, though, without interview - so don't get your hopes up on that one!

Some industries and organisations do this as standard. It's not unusual, per se, but it's not common practice, either. I would say most companies will seek references after an appointment is made, but others will do it beforehand.

I think it's rude to do it without letting you know, though! I never provide the contact details of referees until I'm offered a role, or I put "please do not contact without prior permission", something like that.

Best of luck!
KiKi

Freetsembar

I just received an email from someone who works in HR at another company, asking me to contact him about some possible job openings they have. At first, I thought it was some automated junk mail from recruiters but the person seems legit. It was sent from his work account and he has a LinkedIn profile too. Its at a big company, but I was surprised that I was contacted directly.

I never had contact with this person or interviewed with the company before. Im guessing he got my email address from the SOA directory. Is this common for companies to be contacting employees at other firms? Im flattered that someone who I never met would want to talk to me, dont get me wrong. Just seems a little unusual...

Evilm

Have you uploaded your CV on to Jobsite or any of the others? Sometimes people have sent me enquiries that way. If the information is out there then its not that unusual for people to use it.

InsideInsurance

Get a one or two a month via LinkedIn mainly. Its not that uncommon, especially if you work in a niche or have some uncommon skills or combination of skills