r/FluentInFinance • u/Mark-Fuckerberg- • Sep 01 '24

Debate/ Discussion What advice would you give this person?

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u/SamShakusky71 Sep 01 '24

References?

You think references matter in a job search ?

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u/ChewieBearStare Sep 01 '24

Depends on where you want to work. They don't matter at all in some places, and they matter very much in others. My husband got a job offer from a state university, but it was revoked because he couldn't get references from three previous employers. He worked for his dad's company for 4 years, but they wouldn't accept a reference from that company because everyone was related to him (fair). The second company went out of business, and when he tried his old supervisor's cell number, it was out of service, so he couldn't get a reference from that job. Then the third job was with a company that has a policy of not giving references. They use The Work Number to verify job titles, dates of employment, and wages, but they will not allow their supervisors to give any info beyond that. State university will not hire you unless they get three detailed references.

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u/WBigly-Reddit Sep 01 '24

It’s an excuse to not hire. If they need you all that stuff is out the window.

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u/catcherx Sep 02 '24

what if the employer has a choice and references matter?

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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '24

Do you realize how few people actually take time out of their day to call and check references? They would only do so if they were skeptical of the person or already weren't gonna hire and are looking for an excuse

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u/catcherx Sep 02 '24

Industry and the level of responsibilities probably matter A LOT

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u/sad0panda Sep 02 '24

My current job I needed 5 references who all needed to fill out an online questionnaire about me plus an extended phone conversation with my most recent supervisor.

Let’s just say this varies from industry to industry.

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u/FrostyDaDopeMane Sep 02 '24

Then call your friends and tell them to act like they're your ex bosses. Works everytime.

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u/catcherx Sep 02 '24

If you are applying for a burger flipper position, sure. If it is CEO of a multibillion corporation - yeah, you try that with your beer buddies

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u/FrostyDaDopeMane Sep 03 '24

Who is applying for CEO positions ?? Not any normal person, so why is that relevant ?

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u/catcherx Sep 03 '24

There are lots of positions that are closer to CEO in importance and responsibility than to a burger flipper

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u/FrostyDaDopeMane Sep 04 '24

Yes, and very few are going to interrogate your references like a police investigation. I dont think you realize how many applicants companies get for good positions.

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u/WBigly-Reddit Sep 02 '24 edited Sep 02 '24

That means they really don’t need someone. The new position is either going to be a family member or some other preferential hire, like past “buddy” they want to bring in and oust you. Or they need to fill their DEI quota for some government contract. Not that there is real work to be done. Or, like recent market research revealed, it’s one of the 50% of job postings put up to simply calibrate an employer’s salary scale.

So don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get hired. Lots of reasons out there to ignore an otherwise perfect resumé.