As a hiring manager, I always call a candidate’s references. I always ask for them and I always contact them (with a candidate’s permission).
These references tend to give the shiny version of the stories and so I also use Linkedin and my peers and coworkers to augment that list. Sometimes I’m successful and I find one or two contacts I can call and other times I’m not. These people generally give a less-varnished perspective than the list your candidate wants you to call!
I also can’t remember a time that when asked, I refused to be listed as a person’s reference. An employee of mine, a colleague or coworker will ask if I would be a reference and what way I’d like to be contacted. I always say yes—I think it’s that important to the person asking (not to mention the future hiring manager).
So I find it bewildering that I get called so infrequently. Twice in a dozen years.
I know I’m being used as a reference and I know that people are getting hired.
Are recruiters and hiring managers not asking for references or are they just not contacting us?
I’ve given people permission to list me countless times, and I’ve been called exactly once.
I’m glad I’m not the only one not getting called. And certainly two people don’t make this a trend.
But if it is a trend, it would be a disturbing one.
Today would mark my third call received. Good luck to ML, he’s a good resource and I expect he’ll do well in that position!
And today marks number four. Good luck to JM; I think he’ll do a great job.
And today marks number five. It arrived in an ominously-addressed envelope from the “UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, FEDERAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES — OFFICIAL BUSINESS” and had a stamp-cancellation mark that said “Have a Nice Day”. You can see it here: http://twitpic.com/5b07xy