Checking references is common practice before giving a job offer to a candidate. It is usually used in conjunction with a fait accompli job offer. Often the hiring manager will provide an provisional offer contingent on reference checks. The question is why? Here’s a few reasons why reference checks are not worth anyone’s time.

1) They’re the wrong people to talk to
By and large, candidates aren’t stupid. They’re going to provide you with references they know will give them favorable reviews. The more glowing, the better! If they had friction with a manager at a previous contract or were unable to perform for that client, they’re not going to provide them in the reference list.

2) No one wants to be an Asshole
By and large,  (with some exceptions to be sure), no one wants to ruin the future job chances for another person, even if that person drove them nuts as a team member before- they will sugar coat their reviews to help the person.

3) Under Advice from Counsel I decline to answer
The referee may believe that providing a reference that’s accurate but unfavorable may make them culpable in a lawsuit. You’re getting a highly sanitized version of things.

4) They’re the wrong people to talk to (Part II) and Under Advice from counsel (Part II)
Some companies have policy that functional management cannot provide references due to impending threat of lawsuit and all reference checks will go to a Centralized Human Resources department. Chances are, Sidney in HR won’t have had the pleasure of meeting your candidate in person, and won’t be able to divulge any more information than they started on X date, they finished on Y date because that’s all the information that’s in the folder in front of them. Even if the folder contains details of your candidate getting fired for getting completely trashed on a Tuesday morning, having sex in the copy room with the intern (the ugly one, not the hot one), and then punching the IT nerd in the throat, they wouldn’t be able to divulge it because of point 3.

5) Why the hell do I care what you think?
The best references I’ve been given were not orchestrated in the formal procedure in that I asked the reference if they would provide a favorable reference for a job, got a reply, provided the name to the hiring manager. The best was that they recognized the name of the company from my resume and called the guy up because they had an existing relationship with him. This is not usually the case. You don’t know the other person from a hole in the wall. For all you know, they could be crazy. They could accept low standards, swearing at clients, being high on bath salts on the job. If you have an existing relationship with the person, fine. If not- why are you taking their word for things?

6) Do you really need that kind of Validation?
You think this is the right person for your job. You believe it so much you’re ready to give them a job offer. Why are you second guessing yourself? Why do you need other people to confirm what you already think?

7) They can game you

I recall an episode of Seinfeld where George provided one of his buddies as mock reference. (I believe it may have been Kramer). George provided his friend’s home number under the premise it’s a place of employment.

8) But It’s Procedure!
If you’re read this blog, you know that processes are meant to be tweaked for operational relevance. If you don’t want to do references (and I hope I’ve convinced you that you shouldn’t want to do them) you shouldn’t let HR or Senior management bully you into doing them.

9) They’re Antiquated
This isn’t the 1800′s anymore. Heck, it’s not even the 1950′s anymore. You don’t need to make sure they come from the right family and go to the right parties and keep the right company. Though those things are fine, but if you’re solely basing your decision on that, you’re probably missing out on a lot of very qualified and talented candidates.

Oh and the whole employment law thing you may be violating…

I’m always happy to provide coworkers and employees with favorable references, but when people ask me to provide  a reference I always find it a little odd. In the end, whether you will decide to investigate your prime candidate’s references is up to you, but know that it’s your time to waste.