3 ms·

> A reference should not accept to be a reference if they will give bad feedback. What is a reference for, then? A future employer wants an honest view on the

• extra88 10y ago
  I always want a candidate's current immediate supervisor as a reference but I would be surprised if any other reference was less than positive about the candidate. A future employer wants and honest view on the candidate but the candidate wants to make the best impression. Generally I only check references after I've already made a choice (but before an offer), the choice was made based on what the candidate has presented so the reference check is basically a chance to avoid a total fraud or unbalanced person. So far I've been fortunate enough to have not made what I would consider a bad hire.
• cl42 10y ago
  I'd say a reference is a social construct that implies Person A is willing to vouch for Person B. Their goal isn't to give a fully honest and unadulterated opinion on all strengths + weaknesses of an individual, but rather to show that Person B is capable of good work. You're basically finding their upper bound, not necessarily the range of skill sets. Accepting to be a reference when being requested by an applicant assumes you'll be honest but also courteous and positive. In some situations, a potential employer might require to speak with a specific individual who you might not have asked to be a reference. In that situation, the social contract above doesn't apply.