References for job offer/Salary offer (employment, employer, jobs, companies)

[mikeyking]

Having give references for a job from my previous employer for a job offer.

Is it reasonable for them to ask for References going back 6, or 7 years back to previous employers - when many of the people have moved on to other companies, plus there is added difficulty of getting their contact details - and perhaps they were at a distance from you, not directly involved or jobs with strained relationships.

Plus they seem to be lowering the salary as I get closer to the job offer - not asking for the world just a market rate and enough for reasonable lifestyle - I have told them they can add more to the job spec and make the best use of me as possible.

it just seems many employer can be so demanding, for lowish salaries.

[manderly6]

I think it would be reasonable to validate employment, references not so much. Can you tell them you no longer have any valid contact information for people that far back?

[chilaili]

I've had to do that and I just tell them that I simply can't remember people's names going back that far but I can give them the phone number for HR and they can figure it out from there. Never had a problem with that (so far).

Re the salary: Maybe ask them about benefits. Hopefully they're really good so that will make up the difference?

It is really amazing what companies check on these days though. I had to recently provide a copy of my undergraduate transcript! From 20+ years ago ! In another country!

[joe from dayton]

It is not unheard of for people to simply fabricate their employment and educational history. Some companies spend more effort than others confirming things.

[Hemlock140]

We do verify everything and any one that cannot be confirmed is the kiss of death for that applicant. When I started here I gave references that I worked with 17 years before and they were the only two people still there, the others had all retired. They remembered me and gave great reviews, as did the two more recent references. If there is no one still there say so, and give the HR phone number, don't make anything up.