Companies asking for references???
3 of the 5 companies I'm interviewing with have asked for references (not just background check, actual hiring manager interviews where they ask about my strengths and weaknesses). They usually want two references: one from a coworker and one from a manager. This is after an on-site, before offer review. Is this becoming a thing for engineers now? I feel like it's a waste of everyone's time, and I feel super awkward bothering my previous manager and coworkers. The last time I switched companies, I didn't get asked for references at all. Is this a new trend? I'm mainly interviewing with 50-200 person companies, so not tiny but not massive either. And this is for L4 equivalent positions, so it's not anything senior. TC: 260 YOE: 3.5
I've never had to give references
Gave references after onsite for all of my interviews this round
Are you a software engineer?
I applied to both pm and swe positions
This seems to be particularly normal if you go through recruiters. Also. It's a *fantastic* way to keep folks who left jobs due to abuse or poor working relationships traumatized for years after the fact. "Why did you leave your previous job?" My manager was incompetent, and our CEO was an abusive misogynist. Distrust was high because we did remote work the worst way possible. "Still, we're going to need to talk to one of them to make sure we can trust you. Good phone number?" I've had this conversation almost verbatim. Also: How many people stay in unhealthy workplaces because they *know* a bad reference can jeopardize their career? Recruiters still don't get that requiring managerial references perpetuates serious problems, many of which harm women and immigrants the most. /soapbox
So, if I’m understanding correctly, if you don’t go through a recruiter, requiring references is not always a thing any more? I know they are notoriously unreliable, but I’ve been out of the job market for a long time so I’m trying to get up to speed on current norms. I was appalled to see one small company I might have been interested in making a *huge* deal on their website *insisting* that both references *and* college GPAs or transcripts be included with the resume, and it kind of freaked me out, especially since I’m 63 and anything that might include dates will nail my age.
References are less likely needed, in my experience, if you apply directly to small companies. Imagine, in a company without recruiters, the engineers are the arbiters of hiring. We're mostly concerned with technical chops. I would never provide GPA. It's an obvious tell they are looking for new graduates to beat into the ground. Stay away.
I’ve had this happen last year too. It’s annoying as hell, especially if you don’t want your current company know you’re interviewing before they give you an offer. I listed people from before current job to be references for that reason.
Same
I'd maybe be fine doing that for one company, but I don't want to waste my previous manager's time for three such interviews before I get an offer.