Hello.

17 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 27,2022 at 3:51PM UTC

   Hi there. They are likely asking for employment verification purposes. Most employers will only provide your dates of employment, last position held and sometimes pay (some employers require a special authorization to obtain a former employee's pay information). While it doesn't necessarily put you in a bad light, the prospective employer may ask you to provide your past W2s or old paycheck stubs from each year of employment to verify you were employed with the company. If you don't have these documents readily available, I'd suggest you check yes, as not authorizing them to verify your employment means you would have to find these documents timely and if you are unable to find them or obtain them from your past employers, the offer could be rescinded because they aren't able to verify your past employment. In some cases, it is possible the person doing the background check may question/wonder why you didn't authorize them to contact your previous employers and think it is because you fear a negative response. But again, most employers will only provide minimal information as outlined above and aren't going to risk giving a negative response for legal reasons.

2. AnonymousDecember 27,2022 at 4:12PM UTC

   It says:

   May we contact for Reference. Then it ask for the reference: name, email, position, and phone number

   So that is for employment verification and not asking for a job reference?

   Thanks for your response.

3. AnonymousDecember 28,2022 at 4:42PM UTC

   Provide the contact name for HR and their contact information. Most companies train their management team members to refer all inquiries to HR and to not provide any information to callers requesting references or verifications of employment for legal reasons.

4. AnonymousDecember 27,2022 at 4:25PM UTC

   I usually say “no” because I am very wary of giving blanket permission to contact references and former employers. I have “nothing to hide” but I just don’t like just putting people’s names and contact information out there with no control over how and when and by whom they might be contacted.

   If we get to a point where the potential employer needs to check references then I can give permission and/or make sure they are talking to the right person (to verify employment, they need HR and not my supervisor).

5. Jennifer TannerDecember 27,2022 at 4:48PM UTC

   I have worked for bigger companies, so whenever I fill out these kinds of forms I just check yes and give the address and phone number to headquarters. If anyone called to get a reference, they would be forwarded to HR who would not give them anything except dates anyway.

6. AnonymousDecember 27,2022 at 6:31PM UTC

   I doubt that the person doing the actual hiring will even look at that, but when they ask about contacting, I believe it's just verifying your previous employment there. I only put HR's contact information into those computerized questionnaires.

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 27,2022 at 8:30PM UTC

   Just check no - most times we don't see the actual application - just the resume. If they want to make you an offer, references may be checked as part of the background checking process. You can provide your specific references then.

8. AnonymousDecember 28,2022 at 2:04AM UTC

   Thanks Joan.

9. Tameka “TJ” Jarmon HildrethDecember 28,2022 at 1:35PM UTC

   I've wondered about this myself. Thanks for asking. Good luck! Please keep us updated. ?

10. AnonymousDecember 28,2022 at 1:47PM UTC

    having filled out hundreds of applications even most recently, it’s a common question although as a recruiter, many companies I worked for use background checks only. I

    usually make a notation stating, I would need to contact my reference prior to you contacting them to make sure they’re still at the contact information I have.

11. AnonymousDecember 28,2022 at 1:42PM UTC

    I check no and a comment of only upon provision of an offer

12. Dcre1977December 28,2022 at 1:56PM UTC

    Most managers are directed to only verify dates of employment/ salary. The hiring company usually does not run these background checks until you accept an offer of employment.

    I always check mo for my current employer since I do not want them to know I am looking.

    If you are concerned about them contacting a particular manager, I would just give them HRs name and number if you can find it.

13. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdDecember 28,2022 at 2:45PM UTC

    Happy Holidays!

    I've seen this before on applications. In regards to reference, please keep in mind that most reputable companies will only confirm that you worked for them and the dates you did so. They also may/may not confirm salary.

    I've had 3 jobs so far in my entire career. No one could contact my first two, as both companies are now closed. Well, and I've been at my current one almost 20 years now and most people don't look at work history farther than that... ?

14. TheodoraDecember 28,2022 at 4:17PM UTC

    Most applications I’ve filled out ask this. I simply put a name and number of someone who works or worked there that I would consider a reference, or as some people have said put the company headquarters number and it’ll go to a random HR person. Not a big deal. Good luck!

15. AnonymousDecember 28,2022 at 5:52PM UTC

    Respond with references will be provided upon mutual interest at the offer stage. or N/A. You definitely only want to share those in the end game.

16. AnonymousDecember 28,2022 at 9:14PM UTC

    Thank you.

17. JJDecember 28,2022 at 8:51PM UTC

    It’s ok to check no and provide your own references.