Do employers always check references? Essentially the answer is yes. While it is true that not all Human Resources (HR) departments will call your references during your screening, most do.
If you’re about to start searching for a job, you should expect and prepare to have your references checked. The references you submit to employers most likely would be contacted as regards your employment history, qualifications, and the skill sets that qualify you for the job.
Additionally, lots of organizations check in with candidates’ previous employers to get comprehensive information on their work ethic, history, and ability to function on the job.
When Employers Check References
Those days when employers disregarded references are long past. According to a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey, over 92% of employers carry out background checks, usually, 87% do screening before employment. Some companies even repeat annual checks (15%) or after promotion(10%).
Information regularly provided to reference checkers by reviewed employers included dates of employment, eligibility for rehire, salary history, and employability.
Who Employers Check With
Averagely, employers check 3 references for every candidate. It’s crucial to be ready to provide this way before you need to submit them to a prospective employer.
It’s crucial to pick the right people and to speak to them before using them as a reference. You need responsive individuals who can authenticate that you worked there, your job title, your reason for leaving, and other relating details.
The individuals you list should be able to confirm your performance and your responsibilities, so ensure to keep your references as recent as possible. The easiest way to offer them to employers is by putting together a list of references you can submit to hiring managers.
Other than the list of references, you might be asked for the contact information for your current supervisor. But, prospective employers require your permission before they can contact your supervisor so they don’t jeopardize your current position. You could request that your supervisor not be contacted until you’re further along in the hiring process.
It’s acceptable to use references that are not your employer. Business acquaintances, clients, vendors, and even friends can all make good references. If you are into volunteering, consider using the leaders or other members of the organization as references.
What Your References Will Be Asked
What do prospective employers desire to learn about you? They are looking to learn about everything to ensure they make the best hiring decision possible. From your work ethics, core values, dependability, conflict resolution skills to how you fit the position you’re interviewing for.
It is better to get the unpleasant surprise in advance. If a reference isn’t going to be positive, you should go ahead and ask a different person for the reference. If you’re worried about an employer giving you a bad reference, then it’s even more crucial to know what your other references are going to be saying about you.
It’s Important to Stick to the Facts
If you’re tempted to twist the truth about your work history, please don’t do it. The risks of being caught out are high. A CareerBuilder survey states that approximately 75% of Human Resources (HR) managers have caught a lie or another on a resume. So you don’t want to be one of the candidates whose resume was caught for dishonesty.
Concerned About What They Are Going to Say About You?
You might be worried about your work history or about what ex-employers would say about your background. There are companies that check your references and provide you with a report. If the information retrieved are incorrect, you could take steps to get it corrected. Before you choose a company, compare them to determine the best service and fee structure for your needs.
If you do find out that your previous employers will give you terrible reports, you could get ahead of the problem. You might be able to negotiate a better reference from the former manager or convince HR to inform that manager of any specific company policies prohibiting such references. (Lots of organizations have policies of only providing job titles and dates of employment.)
Takeaway points are
- MOST HR DEPARTMENTS CHECK REFERENCES DURING EMPLOYMENT SCREENING: According to the SHRM survey, 87% of employers conducts reference checks as part of their hiring process.
- EXPECT TO HAVE YOUR REFERENCES CHECKED: Prospective employers will most likely know about your employment history, eligibility for rehire, and job performance.
- GOOD REFERENCES ARE RESPONSIVE, AS WELL AS POSITIVE: When you’re screening potential references, enquire about their availability to speak with HR representatives, and also what they’re likely to say about you.
- GET AHEAD OF A BAD REFERENCE: Obtain knowledge of what your former employers and colleagues might say about you if asked, so that you can nip bad references.