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Comment by adambatkin | Hacker News Reader

This is fascinating. Do companies actually reach out to references these days? Most places I have worked have policies stating that no one other than HR is allowed to give a reference for an employee, and HR will only confirm dates of employment. And I've definitely never been asked for any sort of "proof" of qualifications.

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It's pretty standard where I live in Ireland, to not be asked for references would be seen as unusual. As soon as an offer is made you would expect to be asked for the details of two people they could ask to to provide a reference.

That being said companies may ask for detailed references, but in most cases all they get back is a list of dates worked - as in your experience.

As for qualification requests, I've had those about 50% of the time and mainly with bigger more established companies or those in the finance sector. A lot of Fintech companies are be obliged by their clients to do full background checks on their employees.

It is pretty standard actually even in CA. What is scary is a lot of companies are trying to use "back channels". I was shocked when some folks reached out to me asking about a scoop on former colleagues literally quoting the the "value of back channels". I never heard back when I told them politely I am happy to do so if they gave the candidate a heads up!

I noticed this was more prevalent at the unicorns (some kind of badge of honor?) Than at established big cos.

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