Do companies check references?

This question is probably very vague as it most likely will depend on the company itself, but in the IT industry is it common to check references on a potential new hire? I interviewed for a help desk support job last Friday and provided 3 good references to the IT director. None of them have been called yet that I know of. For an entry level job would they even bother?

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jvrlopez

I've seen it done (though it's never happened to me). I've also had to provide references. They weren't called but I still got the job.

Maybe sometimes they're needed just in case something comes up (question about your previous experience, dates of employment, etc)?

networker050184

Some do and some don't. Like you said it will depend on the company. I've had jobs that never even asked. Some that ask and never call. Others call pretty much immediately.

jws86

Yeah in the job add I only submitted my resume without references. Brought a reference sheet to the interview and I actually offered it at the end. They didn't ask but they willingly took them when I offered.

W Stewart

Not all the time but larger companies seem to. I've had two jobs that I know of that checked my references and one wouldn't even continue with the hiring process until they were able to contact all references.

MSP-IT

I believe it's more common for contract jobs through recruiting agencies and lower-level jobs. Having recently gone through the process, I had two recruiters contact all of my provided references.

Cert Poor

It varies based on company, HR policy, and maybe hiring manager policy. It also depends if it's just an employment check with all your past companies' HR departments to verify dates of employment vs. a managerial reference to actually verify who you are as a person/employee.

jws86

I didn't provide any references that would give them any way of verifying employment dates except for one. I gave them one of the lead man at my facility who I have worked with for almost 8 years. The other two are an instructor at my college, and my program director at my college. If they were to ask for previous employers numbers I would surely give them to them, but they have not asked.

N2IT

It's honestly a roll of the dice. Also remember the agency in which you worked don't have to say anything. I remember vaguely my former boss telling me that the MSP he worked for wouldn't answer any questions about past employees. They wouldn't validate dates or titles nothing. The thought there was just enough risk and no reward to produce this information. The HR specialist would basically give them a canned response drafted up by an attorney saying that while they would like to help them, they are not able to produce that information due to liability reasons or something to that effect. I also read an article recently (~1 year ago) that more companies are going to this strategy. If you think about it there is 0 value add to the company to field and or address those questions, only risk.

J_86

I have been asked for references in a few positions. The only time I know my references were contacted (because one told me about it) was when I was working with a recruiter for a contracting position. All they asked were some basic stuff about me, like was I a good coworker, did I do my job correctly, etc. If you have good references, I wouldn't worry about it.

jws86

J_86 wrote: »

I have been asked for references in a few positions. The only time I know my references were contacted (because one told me about it) was when I was working with a recruiter for a contracting position. All they asked were some basic stuff about me, like was I a good coworker, did I do my job correctly, etc. If you have good references, I wouldn't worry about it.

Yeah I was not worried about what they would ask. I have good trustworthy references. I was just worried that they hadn't been contacted yet.

coreyb80

When I was in the market the only ones that actually checked were agencies.

jws86

coreyb80 wrote: »

When I was in the market the only ones that actually checked were agencies.

That seems to be who does it for the most part from the responses I have received. I applied directly for this position with no agency.