Does it mean you got the job? Not necessarily.
Does it mean you are the only one they are considering? No. Although you might be.
Does it mean they are close to making an offer? Maybe.
So what exactly does it mean?
First let me explain where I got the idea for this post. I was checking my stats (don’t we all) and saw that someone got to my blog using a search engine and the words “What does it mean if a job is checking your references”. Basically, all you can know for sure is that it means they are interested in you.
Usually, when a company starts checking your references, if the references are good, you will get an offer. But there are times when they have more than one candidate and are using the references to decide…and you might not be their final choice. Or they may not like what they hear from the references. Or they may not get enough information to resolve any doubts they have and decide to continue advertising and/or interviewing without turning you down yet. Or they may even get glowing reviews and still wind up going with someone else for any of countless reasons.
But in general…if they are checking your references and your references are good, it probably means you will be getting an offer soon.
If you are in this situation whoever you are out there my fine Googler friend, I hope this answers your question. And I hope you get the job.
Good luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
I’m happy to report I just got off the phone with the hiring manager and have a job offer! I should mention that they called me while I was reading something on this website, trying to feel better about my situation.
I’m meeting with them later today to go over the whole package. It’s alittle less $ and fewer hours, but I am thankful it’s a job in a field I love.
The unemployment lifestyle has also taught me how to be frugal, so I think I’ll weather the “pay cut” fairly well. This is how it is in 2011. There are better days ahead.
Phil, Thanks for updating us with your news. Hope this is the start of the next great phase of your life!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
I just found out that my references are being called, and this got my hopes up! so I did what any normal person would do in this situation, and Googled to find out what it means
thanks for the post! I’ll keep you updated.
Hoping for the best, please let us know!
Same with me… I found out my references were called yesterday and today for the job I want. Keeping my fingers crossed for that offer!!
**LOL.I just did the same thing…got on here immediately to see what it means.
I’ve had 4 interviews with this huge corporation & wonderful brand. And, I was told by one of my references that the company called him. So, I hope by Monday I will know 4 sure! To every1 out there, keep pressing ahead..things will change for you & they will get better…don’t give up..keep pushing. My car freaked out the day I was headed to my interview–I parked that sucker and jumped on a bus. Got to my appt ‘ 18 minutes early. There was a homeless guy that got on the bus that smelled so badly I almost threw-up…and the smell lingered the entire ride..BUT, I did what I had to do to get to my interview..We’re all going to be ok in a little while. God Bless everyone~
Fancy-Pants,
Keep up the spirit, good advice for all! Best of luck.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Glad you didn’t throw up! How embarrassing that would have been (for the homeless guy. He would have had to of endured the stench of you. I wonder if he would have mentioned the smelly woman to anyone?)
Guilty. I went through 2 interviews and a group assessment for a job a couple of weeks back. I got called back last week to proceed through to getting a medical examination. Earlier in the week I got an email from an old supervisor/colleague that she’d been contacted by the recruiting agency for the position I applied for. The recruiting agency also gave me a call yesterday afternoon as unfortunately they couldn’t get ahold of my second referee. Luckily I had a back referee just in case. Their being thorough with references was something I took as a good sign and like everyone else I immediately googled this query. Hopefully by the end of this week I’ll know the results so fingers crossed.
Good luck, hope everything works out for you
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I’m pleased to report that I got the job! Just received a call this morning and in the HR managers own words ‘after finalizing your references I’m pleased to tell you that you’ve been successful for the position’ and I’ve just got my letter of offer sent by email. So guess the reference check was the last step. I hope everyone else is as successful, job hunting is a chore but you’ve just gotta keep at it
.
Yay!! Thank you for the update and best of luck in the new job.
Good Luck!
Hello everyone. I had previously posted, that I had gone to my first and second interview and that they had also checked one of my references, which was a friend that works at this Company. Three weeks had gone by and I had not heard anything. I decided to send them an email letting them know that I was still interested in the position, but was wondering if a decision had already been made.
They answered with and email saying that even though my qualifications were great they had chosen another candidate. (It looked like those standard letters that are sent out) My friend who also works here, said that she spoke to the hiring manager and the position has not been filled and it was still open.
I was wondering if by me sending them the email, they may of felt rushed and decided to let me move on to something else. Since they were not ready to make a final decision yet.
What do you guys think?
Nancy,
It does not seem you put any pressure on the employer to make a decision after three weeks. Unless a candidate forces an issue by saying things like they have another offer and need a decision immediately, the employer typically would not feel pressure to give a quick response. If they had not made a decision when you asked, we’re sure they would have simply told you that.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hello thank you for your wonderful tips. I suffer from OCD blues
I went on an interview on Monday in the morning; I felt that there was a definite “click” with the co owner and the CFO who interviewed me. Within five hours I was asked to come back in and meet with the owner of the company which I happily did. Another good feeling when I left. I did write a thank you email two days later and let them know I was very interested in the position; the response was our “employee attorney” will be calling you shortly. Being in the HR world I realized these potential employers were smart, they wanted to make sure I was the real deal and that I knew my stuff. Today on the fourth day this attorney contacted me by phone and we spent about 20 minutes with me answering questions regarding labor law, family leave, exempt status etc…I was a little taken a back by this only because she never explained what the purpose of the call was in the beginning of the conversation or how she fit in to the hiring process. At the end of the conversation I asked her if she did a lot of work for this company and she said yes I am on retainer with them. I felt that the “phone interview” went well, when I didn’t know something I said I am sorry I am unfamiliar with that term….at any rate I guess my question is what now? Wait? Write another email (I know your going to say “NO”)
Wait…right? Thank you again!!!!
Maddi,
We would assume the attorney is considered a trusted advisor and will provide advice to the hiring managers at the company. You may have a better understanding of the environment, yes you should follow up in a reasonable amount of time if you have not heard back from the employer. Typically this might be a week or two. Good Luck!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
I had a phone interview after which I was invited to an in person interview. I felt like the person I would be working for and I really clicked. I sent an email later that day to the person in charge of the hiring process saying: “I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I am still very interested in the position, since you stated that if I was selected from the interview process you would request my references, please let me know if you will need them to move forward.” I was then sent an email saying that the person I would be working for was impressed with my professionalism and they would like a list of my references.
I take this as a good sign….but I am unsure.
The interview was last Thursday so wish me luck!
( I am still interviewing in the meantime…really don’t want to put my eggs in one basket.)
Mo,
Good luck, you seem to doing the right things!!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
300 resumes, 8 phone interviews selected, 4 selected for face 2 face, I make face 2 face, I get a call a week after my interview saying that the president is out of the country and they will let me know the decision by 11/14. What does this point to? Do I have a shot. I guess they could have said “see yah” already. Hmmmm
Joe,
Hang in there, the job hunting process can be exhausting. Let’s hope you hear back soon, if not you may want to follow up in a couple weeks.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
So the interviewer called me to say its all fine, we want to take you on board but have to go through employment reference check. Do I resign from the other employer as I only have 4 weeks left till I start of the reference check goes well or do i wait for the referencing but not enough time to resign!!
Its a credit expert company what does it involve it employment reference check? I have listed all the places I worked at..do they confirm in those places whether I have worked there or do they ask for refernce to get full details about me life in that work place?
Very curious in this strange situation.
Many Thanks in advance
moij
Moij,
It would be best to wait until you have a firm offer with not contingencies attached before quitting you current job. If you want more time before between the time you resign and start the new job you can ask the employer for a later start date if they are open to one.
Typically reference checks will include some form of a background check (credit, social, past workplaces, etc) plus calling references you provided. Not all companies have the same processes.
- The Work coach Cafe Team
Over analyzing… I had screening interview last Monday. The next day I had a phone interview with the director. On Wednesday, I meet with one of the managers (they wanted a face to face). All went very well, they are wanting to fill this position asap. Thursday and Friday they checked my references. Now it is just over a week since my initial interview (3 days from rc). I am very interested in this position and it is #1 on my list, I am also in the running for 2 other positions. When is it appropriate for me to follow up with my #1 and how should I approach it?
Jack,
It’s best to ask during the interview when the best time to follow up would be. Since it does not seem that you have what the employer is thinking, you may want to follow up with a call or an e-mail after a week or two.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hi, I was shortlisted for an internal Specialist:Java Developer post, and interviewed telephonically, shortly after the interview I sent a thank you note, and two weeks after I recieved the following mail from the Hiring manager
“Congratulations, we have selected you as the candidate that we would like to appoint.
For me to continue with this, I need the following information from you:
Certified copy of
* your driver’ license & ID
* your qualifications, including matric certificate
Please also complete the attached forms and return them to me.”
I sent the required documents and the refference Check forms, now I have been waiting to hear from them for two weeks now. what does this mean?
Bee,
Sound to us like this might be a scam to get personal information from you. In this employment market when there are many out of work, there are people who take advantage. All readers should be aware that the Internet can be a dangerous place. Just as you expect employers check your background, make sure you understand who the employer is and that they are legitimate. Please do your best to try ad contact the employer and verify they are real before sending any personal information.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
lol, I am Certain that it is not a scam, It’s a Company I’m currently working for, I was interviewed for a senior position in another state.
What I want to know is what I should expect after this kind of response?.
Tell them to get the details from HR. They should already have it right?
AC, They treat promotions and tranfers as new appointments, i dnt know why but that’s their policy, it’s a huge organization which employs more than 30 000 employees. But let us not worry to much about the Document part of it. just respond to the question i posed above.
Bee,
Since it’s been a couple weeks you may want to check with the hiring manager and see how the process is progressing.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Thank you very much, recieved a job offer i’m so delighted
Yay!!
I interviewed at a medical company a month ago. On a Friday I was told that I didn’t get the job because they hired internally, yet I could apply for any other job that was open within that same company. That next Monday, I found out that they called two of my references. I spoke to someone at my local unemployment office, come to find out he used to work for that same company as a recruiter. He said that if they’re calling references, it’s a good thing and to expect a job offer soon. One other place I interviewed for checked references but I didn’t get hired, so I’m not getting my hopes up. I wonder what I should think about all of this…
Chantel,
When an employer checks references it means they are interested in hiring you and have narrowed their choices. Since checking references takes time and resources most employers only check the top candidates. This does not mean you will get a job offer, however. Good luck!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Thank you very much, recieved a job offer today i’m so delighted
My confusion is that they started calling references AFTER I was told I didn’t get the job I interviewed for. None of the other pharmacies within that company that I applied to called me in for interviews, so why would they call references after telling me I didn’t get the job?
Chantel,
We are confused too. Could be good news, maybe…
They decided not to hire the other candidate
The other candidate decided not to take the job
They want to try your for another opening
HR is confused??
In any case, Good luck!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
My husband applied for a job on a friday, got the call monday for the interview which was the next day, and then was told at the end of the interview to email his references, He did that the next day and an HR after he emailed over his references to the hiring manager. We got a text from one of his references saying she called him and she was excited to hear good things. It’s now 2 business days later and we have not heard back yet. My husband even left a vm for the hiring manager jest thanking her for the interview and if she needed any more info from him, and shes not called or emailed back yet!! I am going CRAZY!! hes been job searching for 2 months now.!!
Tiffany,
Your husband has been out of work but now is not the time to push too hard on the potential employer. The employer is doing their diligence by calling references and running the background check, a great sign, though it does not mean he has the job. Since your husband already left a message with the hiring manager, it is best to assume the manager does not have the answer yet on the hiring. As tough as it is to wait, our opinion is to wait a least a few days for a call back. Hopefully you will hear real soon!!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
i just think its very rude. No response?? WHO do these HR people think they are?? I understand people are busy, but when a person takes their time and interest to come in and interview, the decent thing to do when someone inquires about the status, the LEAST they can do is respond with an email. It’s getting to the point that I don’t even care anymore. I feel like its never gonna happen, the phones never gonna ring and hes never gonna get an offer. We dont know what else to do but quit. When someone is highly qualified as he is, and he doesn’t get offers, it really starts to affect your self esteem.
Tiffany,
Hang in there, remain positive. Let’s assume they are busy and it’s a tough time with the holidays and year end. Yes, it would be nice if everyone was responsive but sometimes it does not work the way want. Think positive
- The Work Coach Cafe team
any feed back would help!!
I had 2 interviews with an employer for a state job in October. They contacted me in the second week of November for references. They contacted at least one of my references and they seemed impressed by my qualifications. As part of the interview process, they sent me an email asking for writing samples which I sent to them. Now it’s been a month and I haven’t heard anything. I followed up with a friendly email two weeks ago and a phone call earlier last week and no response. Though it’s frustrating, what else can I do? I know I was in the running for this position.
Don
Don,
Sounds like you have done the correct things for this situation. Because this is a state job, stay in touch with them via email or phone once every week or two to stay on top of the process,. Hopefully you hear soon that a decision has been made and you have the job!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hello
I had applied online to a great company in October. I had a phone interview, followed by two in-person interviews, which all went very well. On the evening of the second interview (Thursday at 11pm), I received an automated email informing me the position was filled. After my second interview, one of the interviewers said HR will notify me either way. Should I wait for HR, call HR and explain I did not understand the email, or continue on my pursuit of happiness? So confused.
Ruth,
We are confused too! Maybe some form of computer glitch or other hiccup in the system. Call HR and find out what is happening and what the next steps are for you. Hopefully there’s a simple explanation!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Hi,
In my last job I did something stupid, a mistake was made and I tried to cover it up, got caught, went through the disciplinary procedure, and was fired for gross misconduct. Stupid mistake. Never again.
6 months on and I’m still unemployed. Did an interview recently for a brilliant company for a really good job, clicked with the interviewer, and on Wednesday I got a call to say they wish to take me to the next stage of the interview process, i.e reference check. I gave two references of people who I worked with in the last company who I trust, and they are happy to give me references, regardless of the fact that I had been sacked.
The company have hired an external, background check screening company to check references, college degrees etc. The woman from the company phoned me up yesterday with a query on the dates that I had filled in on the form. Needless to say I was very nervous, but still gave her all the details she needed, and told her if she needed anything else to call me. Checked with my references and they haven’t called them yet.
I’m so nervous that if they decide to do some snooping around, and ring my past employer directly then they will find out I was fired.
Can they do this? Or are they supposed to just check with the references provided??
Sorry for such a long post, and look forward to hearing your reply.
MM,
Hopefully you do not have a worry. With good references and a good background check we hope you will do fine. Can an employer check other sources than what you provide on the application, yes. Your entire history up to the time of hire is a potential input in the hiring process. Many job seekers don’t think about this but even things like social media (FaceBook) may be checked during a background check. Now, what is relevant to the hire is another question. While you may have quit your last job may or may not be important to the employer for this position. If you hear back from the employer with questions, be sure to answer honestly.
You may want to check out this post:
Job Interview: How to Answer Why You Left Your Last Job When You Actually Quit
- the Work Coach cafe Team
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply.
I hope you’re right, and the offer will come in the next few days, would be a great christmas present!
Hopefully they won’t find anything too bad on facebook, maybe a few pictures of me looking the worse for wear (I’m Irish!) but other than that I should be ok.
I am really sorry about the mistake I made which resulted in my getting fired, I have done a lot of soul-searching over the last 6 months, and have learned a lot about myself. This job is much better than the last one and is about €5,000 more.
It would be an exciting fresh start for me.
Anyway, thanks for your advice, I will report back once I hear, either way.
Happy christmas,
MM.
Found out today I’ve been offered the position!! I’m really thrilled.
It’ll be a good christmas!
Thanks so much for the advice. xx
So I went on a job interview on Thursday 12/15/2011. Interview seemed to have went well. About 20 minutes after the interview as I’m driving home I get a phone call from one of my references telling me she had just gotten off the phone with the lady who interviewed me giving her a reference for me. So needless to say the lady that interviewed me called both of my references in the same day within minutes of each other. However I gave three references but she only called two. Two of the references were from the same company. Is it normal for companies to check everyone’s reference or just candidates that they are interested in? They interviewed nine candidates total. I’ve never had someone to check my references so fast. I’m praying that I will get a job offer soon.
I gave a total of three references, Two were from my former job and one was from my current job. Could this be a reason why she only called two of my references?
kjohnson,
There is no normal in the hiring process! We know some companies that do no reference checking at all while others do more than what is provided by the applicant. Calling one or two of three provided references would not be uncommon. There are many reasons not to call all of the references provided; after one or two checks they may be comfortable they have the information required to reach a decision on your application for the job. Hope you hear good news soon!
Hey Guys,
I’m in the same place as a lot of you. I got called for a phone interview and it went well. A week later I was called to set up in interview in Kansas City (I’m currently working in Florida.) They flew me up, gave me a hotel and a rental car. The interview went very well, it was a two hour panel interview with four people, then they invited me to go eat lunch with them afterward. One of the people off the panel even pulled me aside after and told me he was very impressed because I had great specific and very relevant examples for all of their behavior questions. As I left, the hiring manager said he wanted to send me a writing assignment (it’s for an advertising copywriter position). I did the assignment and sent it to him on Monday (I later found a minor typo… DOH!), on Wednesday HR emailed me asking for references. They called my references on Thursday and Friday. I emailed to follow up on Monday asking for his general timeline and if they had made a decision yet. He responded quickly from his iphone and he said they would be making a decision this week. “Thank you for your continued interest in the copywriter position.” Maybe I’m over analyzing, but I thought that was a little formal after a very good interview and I felt we were all “clicking.” Anyway, that was Monday (a week ago tomorrow). He said they would be making a decision by this past Friday, but I didn’t hear anything all week. It’s with [LARGE COMPANY] corporate, so it’s a pretty big company. I imagine it could take time to put together an offer even if they did choose me, but I’m going crazy waiting! It’s all I can think about. I even realize that compared to some of the other posters this has moved relatively quickly, but it’s still maddening waiting for a decision that will drastically change my life. Anyway, that’s what’s on my mind. Sorry for rambling. Any encouragement would be appreciated!
Kyle,
You seem to be on the right track here, it can take time to pull a job offer together, many approvals, signatures and overall processing. Hang in there!!
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
Thanks guys! Just got the offer! I’m so excited I’m shaking!
I had 2 interviews with this company, after my first interview they called me right away to schedule the second interview. After the second interview, I didn’t hear from them for 2 weeks, so I thought that I didn’t get the Job and I moved on, but I was a bit disappointed because I thought the interviews were great. But in the third week after the interviews, they called me to provide them with references, they had called on a Tuesday and left a message on my home phone which i didn’t check, they called again on Thursday, I was home with a friend so I didn’t want to pick up the phone thinking they were going to say no to me because its been 3 weeks already, they left a message so wen I was alone the next day I called them back only to find out that they were asking for references. So I emailed the references right away, they had asked for 3 references, and 1 had to be a supervisor and the other 2 could be co- workers. I called one of my supervisor to ask her for a reference but she was on vacation. so I had no supervisor for a reference. I decided to ask one of the girls who was my supervisor in a call center about 4 yr ago. I explained everything to her and she told me to provide the company with her cell phone number. but she didn’t sound so interested. In a day my co-workers called me back and told me that they had called they already. but the supervisor has not called me back to let me know if they called her or not, and now am regretting giving her name as a reference because I think she might have given me a bad reference. As for the company they haven’t called me back yet, its now been 4 days after the reference check. Am so anxious to hear from them, but I don’t want to call them. In case the supervisor gave me a bad reference, what should I expect?
Julie,
Thanks for the note. This points out to everyone the need to plan ahead with references and to stay close to the hiring process when you have applied for a position.
Things you can control, who you give as a reference. Things you can’t control, what the reference will say or how they will answer questions. So, you did the right thing by contacting your reference and letting them know what to expect from the employer’s call. In most cases, if the person providing the reference felt uncomfortable or would not provide a good reference they would have told you. Since this employer has been slow to respond in the past, let’s assume this why you have not heard yet.
- The Work Coach Cafe Team
I have contacted all my references and they have all told me that were called already, with the last reference being contacted last week. But I still haven’t had from the employer yet, what does this mean, because I did my interviews in November, and they called me for references in mid December but still up to now, there is no answer from employer,