Likelihood of references checked and no offer?

Anonymous

October 7,2021 at 8:39PM UTC

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Likelihood of references checked and no offer?

A reference contacted me today to tell me they received a call from a company I've had a final interview with. This is my first time applying to roles in about 5 years, and the environment and climate is different now. Can a hiring manager or someone recently hired let me know if this is a good thing? Do hiring managers contact the references and not make an offer?

I've never had my references checked in the past. Thanks for feedback in advance!

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Maria MolinariOctober 7,2021 at 9:14PM UTC
Personally, I can say that usually HR contacts your references if they are interested in moving you forward in the process.
I couldn't tell you specifically the turnaround time or how the conversation went between your reference and the hiring manager / HR professional but all in all I would say having your references contacted by the company is a good sign.
AnonymousOctober 7,2021 at 10:30PM UTC
Having a great reference isn't a gaurantee for the job.... You don't know the competition.
Having bad references can be a guarantee to NOT get the job
Keep doing what you are, something will happen :)
AnonymousOctober 7,2021 at 11:29PM UTC
They will need to run your background check, call your references and then gain approval internally to the terms they will draft into the offer.
Once all these pieces come back in order they can send our an offer. It takes time so be patient.
Crystal Miller-O'BrienOctober 12,2021 at 5:14PM UTC
And just to help weigh in a little bit more, some companies may contact references 2 steps into the process just to make sure that you have good references before passing you onto the final round AND before performing a credit/criminal background check. So, references contacted are a good sign but not until you receive a paper offer in your hand should you resign from your current job or post on social media any announcements.
Best of luck!
AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 1:19PM UTC
In general, hiring managers check the references of their top one or two finalists before presenting an offer. Checking references is a laborious process that costs the company money.
In some cases, yes, if references are checked an offer may not be extended. For example, the position may require you to handle money (a CPA). While checking references, your credit check comes back less than glowing. A hiring manager may move on to candidate #2.
RosemaryacOctober 20,2021 at 11:02PM UTC
Employers call references when they are determining who they will hire among the top two or three finalists. Not only does it reflect well on your chances of getting the job, but it shows that the employer considers the process important and is doing a thorough and careful job of hiring a new employee, which reflects well on them.