O/T Employment References up front

[Suited_Jock]

I'm currently apply for a job with a small private IT firm been through 2 interviews and just got a phone call from my agency to say they are in the position to offer me the job but they want references up front??

Is this normal?? At first they asked for my current employer and a previous one.. however that was swiftly vetoed by the agencey and myself...

Has anyone ever came across the before?

[Newmanseye]

I'm currently apply for a job with a small private IT firm been through 2 interviews and just got a phone call from my agency to say they are in the position to offer me the job but they want references up front??

Is this normal?? At first they asked for my current employer and a previous one.. however that was swiftly vetoed by the agencey and myself...

Has anyone ever came across the before?

I've been asked for this before, I told them to get stuffed, I want a written offer of employment before anyone contacts my employer.

[Ironside]

no idea the only job interview i ever had was for the army in 1986, any other job i applied for they never gave me an interview

[Nakor]

I always take references upfront, standard practice I believe.

Obviously don't ask for current employer.

Do you know how hard it is to sack you if your references were tosh after you had started ? ? ?

[Newmanseye]

I always take references upfront, standard practice I believe.

Obviously don't ask for current employer.

Do you know how hard it is to sack you if your references were tosh after you had started ? ? ?

Quite easy if you hire someone and put them on a 3 -  months probabtion period, kind of standard

[Nakor]

I always take references upfront, standard practice I believe.

Obviously don't ask for current employer.

Do you know how hard it is to sack you if your references were tosh after you had started ? ? ?

Quite easy if you hire someone and put them on a 3 -  months probabtion period, kind of standard

Another 3 months training and pay gone though, and in IT, security issues etc but agree standard.

[Suited_Jock]

Just checking it was normal... Any of the jobs i'd had previous i doubt any of my referees were actually contacted.. certainly not up front.

[Claw75]

I think our place obtain references post-interview, but get agreement from candidates beforehand.  Any written job offer would probably be 'subject to satisfactory references' anyway.

[doubleup]

Nowadays references contain very limited information, that is a company might ask for a lot of info, but the company receiving the request should restrict their reply to very limited factual info i.e salary, job description, length of employment and any absence info, but not reason for absence.  

Given that this info can be requested from you in advance and if you lie about it, there should be no problem sacking you, I can't see any point in getting it in advance.

If I was an employer, I would be very cagey about giving out info to a prospective employer about a current employee.  If the employee doesn't get the job they could ask what info was supplied and the slightest mistake or subjective statement could lead to a grievance.

  

[Suited_Jock]

no idea the only job interview i ever had was for the army in 1986, any other job i applied for they never gave me an interview

I've just realised how you have so many posts

[Ironside]

no idea the only job interview i ever had was for the army in 1986, any other job i applied for they never gave me an interview

I've just realised how you have so many posts

it surprises me where i get the time inbetween all my job applications

mind you i dont waste much time at interviews

[ACE2M]

references done in writing are ok but beware them ringing an employer as people are much more liberal with info in conversation. i say that from experience.

[The Dundonian]

Think I'd be telling them to ferk off personally pal!

[vegaslover]

Sounds pretty standard to me. All the jobs i've gone for have asked for references after interview but before a formal offer, or state that a formal offer is dependant on satisfactory references.

[kinboshi]

Never been asked for a reference - they're worth bugger all anyway.

Employers cannot give negative references now - they can only state facts and offer neutral 'omissions' rather than slate an employee.

What do they expect to find out from a reference anyway?  If the rest of the recruitment process can't determine your suitability are they going to get any useful information from previous employers (where you left usually because you wanted something better or the employer wanted someone better instead of you!)?

Certainly don't speak to your existing employer about a reference.  That's only going to negatively affect you if you don't get the new job.