10 references?!

I have a couple interviews with headhunters in the next few days and one of them requires 10 different references! 5 personal 5 professional. Is this normal??

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Comments

Essendon

WTF? 10? *shakes head in disbelief*

Does it explicitly state - List a minimum of 10 references. If not, they probably just pulled out a number from thin air.

cyberguypr

Never heard of such a high number.

dave330i

Not normal, but I have seen it before.

petedude

I've seen similar as well. Most situations like this aren't worth the hassle, or are going to do too much screening (government work, or they're ridiculously picky).

For any private outfit asking that number, my first reaction is that they probably haven't trained their managers on how to interview and have been burned badly.

N2IT

That's bizarre

Honestly that sounds like a very immature organization with immature processes and or staff.

paul78

I'm generally a very suspicious individual. My first reaction when I read that your headhunter is asking for 10 references is that the headhunter is looking to bolster his/her network and looking for potential leads.

bamahonky

If it is the company requiring 10 references, I would suggest it is because that position has a very high turnover. If that is the case, the position will most likely be high stress and not really worth it. I was in a position that was a high turnover position once. It is not worth it. I stayed in that position four months then jumped ship. The stress was too high, pay too low, and was under total micromanagement. If the headhunter requires it, then the reply above may be true. The headhunter wants to increase his network.

kurosaki00

paul78 wrote: »

I'm generally a very suspicious individual. My first reaction when I read that your headhunter is asking for 10 references is that the headhunter is looking to bolster his/her network and looking for potential leads.

^ what this guy said

JustFred

Politely tell him you can provide 2, maybe 3 if you can, but 10 is too much and that you may have to look somewhere else for a job.

jmritenour

10 references? Wow, I don't think I even know what many people total.

Seriously, that is a lot though.

tpatt100

I would have to hire references to get that high....

networker050184

Over the top for sure. I've never been asked for more than two or three.

nel

2, maybe 3 maximum is acceptable. I really would not bother otherwise. Its a sign of idiocy/incompetence imo

panik

10 is insane, unless you are applying for a job with a government intelligence agency.

1 or 2 is the most I have ever been asked to supply.

pinkydapimp

panik wrote: »

10 is insane, unless you are applying for a job with a government intelligence agency.

1 or 2 is the most I have ever been asked to supply.

3 is typically standard from what i have seen. 10 i have never heard of.

JustFred

Even if the OP was applying for a job at the CIA, I think they already know everything about you.

10 is ridiculous

jibbajabba

Given I am usually 4-5 years in a job, I'd have to give the head of my nursery as "professional" reference, or the head teacher of my primary school lol ..

If I'd have 10 - I'd give 1 each (professional / personal) and tell them that further references are provided upon job offer.

WiseWun

I think it's a bit too much but you should have no difficulties providing 5 personal references. Find people that like you.

blargoe

The headhunter is either trying to build his network, as one poster said, or the headhunter himself has been burned, and this is part of how he assures his customers that "his guys" are totally vetted. The last recruiter I worked with didn't require 10, but this was his rationale behind needing lots of references.