Do employers even contact previous employers anymore? (applying, references, employer)

[ialwayswin001]

In the past 9 years I've worked 4 different jobs, one of which my boss was my relative and another where I am still in contact with my boss. Never did they mentioned that they were contacted when I applied for a job. I've applied and worked for big companies too, so it's not like I am applying for fast food restaurants. I am wondering is contacting past employers "outdated"? I always put yes on my resume even though my last boss didn't like me.

[jade408]

Depends, sometimes they do "backdoor references." Aka find common connections and talk to them directly without your knowledge. This has happened to me in my last 2 jobs! Though the one before that hired me without references, and I didn't hear about any back doors.

[MLSFan]

Your former boss wasn't the employer unless he owned company... so why would they contact him unless you list him as a reference?

They would contact the hr of company

[DixieLand09]

I noticed it's like flipping a coin. The ones I think will, don't-and the jobs that are just to get me through till I find something with better pay/hours, they are all over my references lol.
You just can't tell..I worked in a a very nice place, full of fine art, and I thought for sure they would contact my employer, at the time-and they didn't even really look at my job history.

[Suburban_Guy]

They certainly do, in multiple ways both directly and 'indirectly.'

So better mind your P's and Q's.

[The5thOfNovemner]

Originally Posted by ialwayswin001

In the past 9 years I've worked 4 different jobs, one of which my boss was my relative and another where I am still in contact with my boss. Never did they mentioned that they were contacted when I applied for a job. I've applied and worked for big companies too, so it's not like I am applying for fast food restaurants. I am wondering is contacting past employers "outdated"? I always put yes on my resume even though my last boss didn't like me.

There is a limit to what HR can say when they do get contacted. They can not give out your salary without your written permission. I think they can confirm your start and end date and that's about it.

[sandsthetime]

I've also found that less and less are.

[Serious Conversation]

I was just hired for a new role and prior employers were contacted.

[Becki in Tx.]

Our companies also check references due the nature of our work. So do a good job that way you won't have to worry!

[Jukesgrrl]

They're looking you up on social media instead. You can find out a lot about a person through their online activity.