This may have been asked before but if you list a job in job history but not as a reference can new job still call?

9 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 30,2022 at 7:16PM UTC

   Yes of course they can call.

   They can call to do an employment verification. Some applications do have a box you can check for them not to call. References are names and contact information you give to a potential new employer - completely different issue.

   Employment verification is when the potential employer confirms the dates you work there, title and sometimes if you're eligible for re-hire. Quitting without giving two weeks notice may or may not make you eligible for re-hire, depending on company policy.

2. Looking for a changeJuly 31,2022 at 1:21AM UTC

   Is there a way I can find out the company policy without calling them?

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 1,2022 at 12:43AM UTC

   I highly doubt it.

4. JenniferJuly 30,2022 at 7:16PM UTC

   Theoretically, there aren't any restrictions on which employers a company can call to verify experience, and your former company could say either of those things. In practice, most companies utilize a background check service that pulls in your past employment data (employment dates, salary, position, etc) to verify what you've listed as experience. Typically these companies also have a no-reference policy, and will direct all inquiries to the employment verification service. (So they use a service to verify employment history for new hires AND to provide employment history for former employees).

   In my opinion, I don't think it matters significantly if an employee quit a job without notice, assuming that it wasn't done in some dramatic, unprofessional way. I don't think the amount of notice you gave is something you need to disclose in interviews, just that you left for XYZ *professional* reason. I'm a stickler for transparency, and knowing that you voluntarily left the role is full disclosure from my perspective.

   I should caveat that I'm referring to general US practice, some states may have specific laws around reference checks. I'm not in HR, I'm coming at this as a hiring manager.

5. Crystal HowellJuly 30,2022 at 7:36PM UTC

   Old job can give dates of employment and title, usually.

   You can state no do not call previous employer.

6. Melissa Boillot, SHRM - SCPAugust 2,2022 at 3:00PM UTC

   As an HR professional I will say that most employers will not share very much information if calling HR for employment verification. Typically they will share dates of employment and that’s about it. That said, if you worked for a smaller organization that is less risk averse, they may share more. A specific manager may also share more than the company so share the appropriate phone number for each of your previous organizations.

7. Leslie MillsAugust 5,2022 at 3:17PM UTC

   I believe it is illegal for former employers to provide that kind of information. If not, it should be illegal.

   Leslie

8. AnonymousAugust 8,2022 at 12:16PM UTC

   You can list it if relevant but employers that are not a reference are suppose to only answer basic questions like your employment time period. References are expected to answer the heavy duty questions about your performance and work behavior. Don’t want to be a negative person but you never know what an old employer would do especially if you did not leave on the best foot. I would not list short time period employment or jobs I quit without notice. Good luck.

9. Cheryl NeasAugust 25,2022 at 12:22PM UTC

   If you filled out an application, there may have been a part of it where you gave blanket permission for the prospective employer to conduct a background check and/or contact past employers.

   As far as what they say, that depends on their own policies on giving references/responding to verification checks; their policies around what happens if you leave without giving notice; and the country/state/municipality they are in. There is no standard answer.