references before offer?

melysion

Hi there

I have not been in the job hunting market for ages - about 8 years in fact and am, as a result, fairly rusty. Anyway - went for a job interview yesterday morning in which I thought I did appalingly badly. BUT this morning, one of my referees (he used to be my PhD supervisor and is now one of my closest friends) said that he was approached for an reference last night. My third referee hasnt been approached but I can only assume my current employer must have been too if my ex-supervisor has as my second reference.

The shortlist was three people and I don't have a job offer yet (they said I would be told at the end of this week) - but is this usual now to collect references before a job offer is made? I always thought it had to be afterwards (and the job offer withdrawn if the references were crap - not that i expect mine to be)

All thoughts appreciated.

InsideInsurance

Normally you do formal references after offers but if candidates are close and hard to chose between theres no reason why you cannot use references as a deciding factor.

Informal references can be different, especially in close knit industries like Insurance where you may even get that before calling a candidate for interview as you know someone that they will have worked with from your past.

AP007

I had a reference taken before any offer was put on the table. I never got the job as the reference was 'too good' - so sodding funny I nearly died.

You never know what it means good or bad until you get the offer.

melysion

How on earth can a reference by ´too good´? Doesn't make any sense. How annoying for you.

AP007

melysion wrote: »

How on earth can a reference by ´too good´? Doesn't make any sense. How annoying for you.

They said the job would be boring for me so never offered it, took someone else on and the job was advertised again 3 months later.

melysion

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Normally you do formal references after offers but if candidates are close and hard to chose between theres no reason why you cannot use references as a deciding factor.

In that case I will sit tight and hope for the best.

Wish me luck!

Prothet_of_Doom

melysion wrote: »

How on earth can a reference by ´too good´? Doesn't make any sense. How annoying for you.

They thought that the boss was desperate to get rid and was polishing a turd (no offence there) ???

I put "References on Request" on my CV, and if I am asked to give them before Interview make it clear which one's are not to be contacted before Interview.

Jordo

Take your references off your CV if you have them on there. When asked for references (which should only ever be after a firm offer), give the HR details of the company you worked at, not the line managers. They only have to confirm the dates you worked there, no more.

AP007

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

They thought that the boss was desperate to get rid and was polishing a turd (no offence there) ???

I put "References on Request" on my CV, and if I am asked to give them before Interview make it clear which one's are not to be contacted before Interview.

Nah I wasn't working for the company who gave this reference so they weren't trying to get rid of me at all, but thanks.

This was a old company as a 2nd ref (present job not contacted at that point) and the reference came from a Director.

melysion

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

I put "References on Request" on my CV, and if I am asked to give them before Interview make it clear which one's are not to be contacted before Interview.

I had to put my references on a painfully long application form - lol. I have no issue with the references being taken up at this point - my current employer knows the situation - and the interview is done and dusted.

I guess even if I don't get the job its a positive because I am clearly considered to be a good candidate. I will try and remember that if I feel like weeping if i get the rejection

Bennifred

Good luck melysion!