Employers will ask candidates for references. This formal request is probably not the only digging they will do. Much has been said about your web-presence, but it is also important to know that besides googling your name and using the references you provide, they will probably do some informal reference checking of their own.
There is one company I know of that had offered someone a job. Upon discussing the new hire candidate with company colleagues, a lot of less than positive information was revealed. Actually, I am not sure how this didn't come up prior to the offer being made, but it didn't. At least the manager was forewarned of potential issues.
Your professional reputation spills out further than your supervisors and "references". Any one who has previously worked with you can be used as a source of information. In most cases, there is no need for past co-workers to be anything other than candid.
The take-away from this is that we must be "like-able" and have a reputation for being easy to get along with as well as getting the job done.
On the formal reference checking side, there are some questions that are typically asked and answered in checking references. To learn more about the reference checking process, you can read this article in CIO Magazine by Jeffery Shane.
I think another important point here is that Rochester (please forgive my regional focus) is a RIDICULOUSLY small town. I have helped many people secure jobs. I have also blocked a few. I have MY reputation to protect. LinkedIn just makes it easier for people in my network to see if someone they want to hire is connected to me. I get calls at least twice a month from potential employers looking for intel about someone in my network that I know.
Posted by: mike lally | May 02, 2009 at 09:29 PM