Job References - Do they cost the employers money to check on? (employed, credit)

[Jackyfrost01]

I heard from an HR person (off the record) that employers really don't check on references unless they are reasonably sure they will hire you because it costs them money to do it.

Is that true?

When I pointed out that "anyone" could pose as your reference, they again (off the record) agreed that there really isn't a way for the employer to verify a job reference is valid.

If thats true, then why ask for them?

Normally I'd have no problem with this, however, except for one job, all my references are 6+ yrs old and are no longer there to talk to. Even that one job was only for a month (seasonal work). As such I have felt trapped enough to get creative when a reference becomes a requirement.

example: having a friend, relative, or former coworker act on your behalf. Or even using yourself (with an alias name). And it has worked in the past. So unless they do a caller ID and do an investigation on who was talking to them (highly unlikely), it will work.

Its an act of self preservation. I dont want to be discounted because I didn't have a number for them to call. Its not the right thing to do, but what is someone without good reference supposed to do? Just accept that you'll never get a job?

[Travel'r]

They were probably confused and were referring to background checks costing them?

Unless they are paying long distance phone charges for the calls, it should not cost somebody a cent to call references, unless they hire somebody (screener or recruiter) to do it. (But then, wouldn't it be the recruiter talking to you to begin with... )

I would list the former co-worker(s), and still put the company & your former bosses' info down. They will just tell the caller that the guy is no longer there, and their HR can still verify you worked there. If it's a job you really want; wouldn't push my luck putting buddies or relatives down. What if the person checking is sharp? They'll catch on right away.

The only sulution I can think of, to help in the future, is: I have always asked my employers for letters of reference. The good ones were happy to do it whenever we had to relocate due to hubby's career.

If you ever have a really decent boss/supervisor at a good place, asking for a letter when you give notice may be a good idea because that guy may move on to other pastures to another place before you know it. It will be worth its weight in gold, being on company stationary with letterhead, phone, address....

But for now, until then, good luck, and the co-worker contact and company info is your best bet. Hate to have you risk getting caught for "impersonating" if it's a job you really want. Put the old bosses' name down anyways. He may have had a file on you which they still have.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Jackyfrost01

I heard from an HR person (off the record) that employers really don't check on references unless they are reasonably sure they will hire you because it costs them money to do it.

Is that true?

When I pointed out that "anyone" could pose as your reference, they again (off the record) agreed that there really isn't a way for the employer to verify a job reference is valid.

If thats true, then why ask for them?

Normally I'd have no problem with this, however, except for one job, all my references are 6+ yrs old and are no longer there to talk to. Even that one job was only for a month (seasonal work). As such I have felt trapped enough to get creative when a reference becomes a requirement.

example: having a friend, relative, or former coworker act on your behalf. Or even using yourself (with an alias name). And it has worked in the past. So unless they do a caller ID and do an investigation on who was talking to them (highly unlikely), it will work.

Its an act of self preservation. I dont want to be discounted because I didn't have a number for them to call. Its not the right thing to do, but what is someone without good reference supposed to do? Just accept that you'll never get a job?

Yesterday I attempted to get a VOE from the Ramada Corporation (Now Wyndham, I guess). It would have cost me $13 to get verification that the person is/was employed there and their job title, etc.

I hung up. I won't pay it.

20yrsinBranson

[Jackyfrost01]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Yesterday I attempted to get a VOE from the Ramada Corporation (Now Wyndham, I guess). It would have cost me $13 to get verification that the person is/was employed there and their job title, etc.

I hung up. I won't pay it.

20yrsinBranson

So in essense, its true. You just have to take his word for it.

[Jackyfrost01]

Originally Posted by Travel'r

They were probably confused and were referring to background checks costing them?

Unless they are paying long distance phone charges for the calls, it should not cost somebody a cent to call references, unless they hire somebody (screener or recruiter) to do it. (But then, wouldn't it be the recruiter talking to you to begin with... )

I would list the former co-worker(s), and still put the company & your former bosses' info down. They will just tell the caller that the guy is no longer there, and their HR can still verify you worked there. If it's a job you really want; wouldn't push my luck putting buddies or relatives down. What if the person checking is sharp? They'll catch on right away.

The only sulution I can think of, to help in the future, is: I have always asked my employers for letters of reference. The good ones were happy to do it whenever we had to relocate due to hubby's career.

If you ever have a really decent boss/supervisor at a good place, asking for a letter when you give notice may be a good idea because that guy may move on to other pastures to another place before you know it. It will be worth its weight in gold, being on company stationary with letterhead, phone, address....

But for now, until then, good luck, and the co-worker contact and company info is your best bet. Hate to have you risk getting caught for "impersonating" if it's a job you really want. Put the old bosses' name down anyways. He may have had a file on you which they still have.

That is good advice. My personal issue is that my references are long distance and are 6-10 yrs old at this point. Nearly useless to them. Its like starting over fresh unless I fudge the truth a bit in order to get credit for all that work I did for so long so many yrs ago. I don't condone lying either, but it sorta comes to that when your told that your info is too dated and that they can't get a hold of anyone you worked with.

Telling the truth keeps me unemployed in that case.
Fudging the truth may get me fired if I'm ever found out, but chances are good I never would and I'd be getting a paycheck until then. I could live with it in this case.

But you are right. From now on I'll keep a record and get letters. Until then, without any current references I have to make em up and yes I do hate doing that. Hopefully the person isn't that sharp to ask key questions and most of them aren't. All they really do is verify you worked at a place and techinically anyone can just say yes. But if they do then all they can say is "no" to getting the job.

I'd much rather have real and current references to give them, but I am desperate and need the income and will do whats necessary if that what I'm made to do. Hopefully not, tho.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Jackyfrost01

So in essense, its true. You just have to take his word for it.

No because she said she had held a management level job, but when I investigated further I found out that she had not.

20yrsinBranson

[emh]

Okay, here's my take.

1) The one time I hired someone, the reference check was the last step. It was more a formality because I assume that no one's going to put down someone that's going to give them a bad reference.

2) I did google the references first to make sure they were legitimate people. Now that's just me. Most people probably wouldn't do that. But don't assume that someone can't check and see if you're references are legitimate.

3) The fact that you have long-distance references shouldn't matter. There's very little cost involved in making a long-distance call and a reference check shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes.

4) It sounds like you have former co-workers you can use as references? I think that's your best option. Personally, I wouldn't care if the reference was "only" a co-worker as long as they could tell me about your work habits.

5) I personally wouldn't use friends or relatives. But my aunt once used my dad (her brother-in-law) as a reference. But she had him give her a character reference, not a work reference since they had never worked together. So maybe you can use your friends/relatives that way. (and I'm pretty sure my aunt got the job).

6) Do you still know how to get a hold of your old bosses/supervisors? If they've moved onto another job, you could give potential employers the new contact information if you have it. If not, you could try google and see if you can track them down.

Hope this helps! Best wishes!

[RjRobb2]

The company has to pay the HR Representative to make the phone call so it cost money. Everything anyone in a company does that pertains to the business cost the company money because they are being paid to do it.

[sinsativ]

exactly, time is money. Interviewing is costly. and nine times out of ten, all they say, he worked here, and made this amount of money. cant say much more without fear of slander charges. Fax takes so much time and most people won't mess with that either. No one will give you anything in an email request unless you know the HR person personally. Long distance is pretty much a no cost anymore, its the time associated for the employee. Im sorry Branson, Ive never heard of anyone legally charging for a VOE, didnt think that was legal. That should be a part of doing business.

[Jackyfrost01]

Originally Posted by sinsativ

exactly, time is money. Interviewing is costly. and nine times out of ten, all they say, he worked here, and made this amount of money. cant say much more without fear of slander charges. Fax takes so much time and most people won't mess with that either. No one will give you anything in an email request unless you know the HR person personally. Long distance is pretty much a no cost anymore, its the time associated for the employee. Im sorry Branson, Ive never heard of anyone legally charging for a VOE, didnt think that was legal. That should be a part of doing business.

That and I also heard that employers can really only legally confirm that you did work somewhere at a certain time and that no other info is required to be given. As such many employers don't bother calling references. Its more just to see that you have them and maybe call if they really feel the need, but usually don't.