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0 pointspaulie_a7y ago0 comments

Do people actually call for recommendations? Hell I just use a coworker I worked extensively with. I've been asked to be a recommendation by previous co-workers and rarely get a call. It has declined over the past ten years. References seem to be a dead thing. It's a waste of time. Of course they are going to be positive. I can't imagine someone would list a reference where they say "fuck that person"

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7 comments · 6 top-level

crankylinuxuser7y ago· 1 in thread

There's even services that you can pay, that will claim to be the so_and_so's supervisor or colleague or whomever to play the references game.

They are indeed worthless. Well, unless you're going through clearance paperwork that requires proof of people for things you say happen. Don't like there. It will come back and bite you; with felonies.

paulie_aOP7y ago

That sounds like fraud regardless if it is for security clearance or not.

zdragnar7y ago

I've been called for about 75% of the references I've given.

normal_man7y ago

It depends, but for my current job they took references seriously and I was glad to have good ones. Of course they will be positive, it's more about "can this guy scrounge up 3 people to vouch for him." If you can't, that's enough to draw a conclusion from.

vkou7y ago

I've given two references.

One for an intern that worked under me, and the company in question was super-thorough about it. They wanted data-supported statements, wanted to know about his projects, and so on. I felt like it was a useful conversation for that company.

One was for my old boss. The company in question pretty much wanted to know one thing: "Was he an asshole."

EpicEng7y ago

Depends I suppose, I don't have any real data aside from my own experience. I've had some companies give previous employers a call (especially in regulated industries), some don't seem to care. They always ask though.

virtuexru7y ago

Definitely not a dead thing in my experience. All of my past jobs have reached out to all my provided references (as they confirmed with me after) to get a sense of the type of work I did & how it was to work with me.

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