Negative reference questions from prospective employer?

Anonymous

May 12,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

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Negative reference questions from prospective employer?

A former coworker asked me to serve as a reference. I was fine doing it. We worked well together on a number of projects and he had served as a referral for me. In addition, he really is a good worker who just happens to need work because of a layoff.

Then, I got a phone call from the tech company about the coworker and the tone was so negative.

Instead of asking questions like, "How do you know [this person]?" the questions were more aggressive.

They asked (not verbatim, but to best of my memory) things like "When is a time that [the person] failed in a project?" and "Why would you tell us NOT to hire [the person]?"

I get that asking one of these may be an attempt to throw a curve ball and get a more candid response, but I found this very off-putting to be asked all negative questions.

I tried my best to be honest and supportive of my former coworker.

But is this normal now?

As an aside, the person who called sounded very young and was very impatient if I paused at all or tried to pivot to anything positive. I am not sure if that factors in at all, but adding it here.

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Kimberly Knapp DuganMay 12,2023 at 2:15PM UTC
I would let your former co-worker know the nature and tone of the call. This could be red flags to what type of culture this employer may have.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 5:50PM UTC
I wholeheartedly agree with this advice!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 12,2023 at 8:28PM UTC
No - it's not normal now. As a matter of fact, the last three companies I've worked for no longer even check references - they do employment verifications.I agree with Kimberly, I would consider this a red flag - not that they're checking references - the nature of these questions are a red flag.
Debra SesholtzMay 13,2023 at 11:06PM UTC
This definitely doesn’t sound typical and should be considered a red flag. Agree with other responders that you should let your former coworker know.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 2:14PM UTC
Personally, I'd be talking to my former colleague about red flags!!
Dcre1977May 15,2023 at 3:40PM UTC
It sounds like they are trying to weed out references. Most companies just do employer verification now. Probably should let the person know in case its a red flag.
Nicolette ThompsonMay 15,2023 at 4:29PM UTC
I agree it’s a little red flaggy. It may be non-sinister, and they’re trying to find weaknesses or areas for growth, but I’d let my friend know just in case.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 5:21PM UTC
Yes, sad to say it is the norm now. Companies are often terrible at making hiring decisions since they often are ill planned in interviews so they look to the past for "will history repeat itself" questions. The best way to respond to these if you truly with no disclaimers support the person you are being a reference for is to say when they ask you something like the failed question- respond to that with the question- what will you be hiring X to do? Then you can reply with something like- Well when X was doing that here he was so successful because etc. etc. Then you have turned their negativity into a positive review without even addressing their negativity. Turn it around to suit what you choose to share. For the question why would you tell us not to hire X. The response to that is if you don't hire X I would try to rehire them, so definitely let me know if you cannot hire them. End of story!
AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 10:49PM UTC
When one gets a call asking personal questions or for a reference, make sure you know who you are talking to. It is a good practice to take a message and call the number back to make sure it is a legitimate company or recruiter. In your case, the person asking questions called you, so, you have every right to question them as to the tone of their investigation!
A company is very limited in what they can ask legally, basically they can verify dates of work or employment
Liz MilneMay 22,2023 at 1:02AM UTC
It sounds like they are inexperienced and maybe? recovering from a bad experience when someone skated over a rather large negative which bounced back on the interviewer?
I wouldn't worry about it too much, seems like a them problem, not a widespread one, to me.