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Wilson suggests contacting references not provided by the candidate. That can be a major breach of privacy. When people are looking for jobs -- particularly wh
by dgant 14y ago
Wilson suggests contacting references not provided by the candidate. That can be a major breach of privacy.
When people are looking for jobs -- particularly while employed elsewhere -- they are entitled to do so discreetly. If employer-directed reference checks are a requirement, candidates should be made completely aware of that and be given an opportunity to opt out. If that halts the hiring process, that's fine. At least the applicant retains control of his or her privacy.
- krschultz 14y agoAgreed. I've backed out of the job application process for a company rather than give a reference at my current employer before a written offer was on the table. What if I burn the bridges with people at my company, and then I don't like the offer presented by the hiring company?
- bostonpete 14y ago> give a reference at my current employer before a written offer was on the table. Does that mean to imply that you have given a reference to a current employer after getting a written offer? Why would the new company want a reference at that point?
- krschultz 14y agoMy understanding (I based this off of my father's opinion, he has been a CEO for 30+ years, and a friend who is an HR guy at startups) is that the 'normal' way of doing things is getting the reference at your current employer after the offer is signed by everyone. Startups sometimes don't follow this convention, but that shows a lack of maturity. I can give a half dozen former bosses and co-workers as references at any point in the interview process. I can also give current co-workers at any point in the interview process. But I'm not giving up my current boss's phone number until I have an offer in writing. If the new company can't decide to hire me or not without talking to my boss, they're screwed anyway. Most large established companies don't allow supervisors to give much of a reference. My father's policy (coming from HR) was that if someone asked him for a reference, all he would give was 'Yes that person worked here, yes that was his title'. That's it. Nobody will give a negative reference because if the other company decides not to hire, the employee might sue you for submarining their chances at getting employed elsewhere. So if you are relying on what the current supervisor thinks of the candidate to screen, you are in for trouble anyway. Nobody gives honest (negative) references.
- beagle3 14y ago> Wilson suggests contacting references not provided by the candidate. That can be a major breach of privacy. He mentions it casually, so I don't know what exactly he meant. I know that I did as he recommended -- but before I contacted a reference not provided by the candidate, I asked them if it was ok to make that contact. In most cases, the answer is "sure, go ahead", or "that's ok, I guess". When the answer is "I rather you wouldn't", the story is often interesting and relevant to your hiring decision.
- jaylevitt 14y agoConversely... I know a guy who worked with a well-known startup founder, but he didn't list that founder as a reference, because he was sure he'd burned his bridges. Just so happened that the hiring manager had the founder on speed-dial. Later that night, the manager calls the founder, who says: "If I were to start a new company right now, that's the guy I'd want with me." You never know.
- fredwilson 14y agoyup.
- Spooky23 14y agoThat practice sounds like a great way to get sued.
- fredwilson 14y agoi don't care. i am not going to hire anyone (or invest in anyone) without making phone calls. i don't think anyone should. but the quid pro quo, as you suggest, is don't call the current employer. great point on that.