Reference check: I know what you did last summer

Reference check: I know what you did last summer.

Posted May 25th, 2009 by Samantha

As HR, we usually perform a reference check to jobseekers’ previous employment before we officially invites the jobseeker to work on board. Meaning to say, after a good round of interview, doesn’t mean that you’ve passed after all. NOT BEFORE THE REFERENCE CHECK.

So, I would always advice jobseekers to treat every job seriously, leaving good impressions and long lasting reputations. My dear friend, Alicia always say,” Don’t burn bridges”. It’s so true.

If there’s a reference on your resume, most HR will either:

1) Call you to verify your references , courteously inform you that they will be doing a reference check.

2) Call your reference secretly

I have seen jobseekers fail in both cases miserably. Some of the reference check was even done before the interview. Some jobseekers realized the cruel fact after going through some consultations through our head hunting team.

Well, either secretly or openly, jobseekers who failed are those who generally:

1) Did not perform as committed

2) Left the company without notice

3) Attitude problem (Attendance, Sick leaves, and leaves issues)

So, if you were to leave a reference in your resume, make sure that it’s a good reference. Otherwise, you might just lead yourself into more trouble.

I did notice many job seekers like to make their friends, relatives as their reference, which HR usually won’t buy the idea. Reference needs to be your direct employer, someone who you report to.

Tags: Career tips, reference check, Resume Tips