Military Careers, Second Careers - Navy Times

Watch out for sneaky reference-checkers

Looking for a job? Then be on the lookout for a trend in the hiring world — reference interrogation. Some companies are calling references listed on résumés, and instead of asking about you, they ask for names and numbers of other people who may know you.

The objective: Get the real dirt on you.

Employers know references often have personal relationships with the candidates, said William A. Kuntz, managing partner with Princeton One Search, a recruiting firm in Indianapolis

So can employers really do that?

“Totally legal,” said Michael Blickman, partner and chair of the labor and employment section of the Ice Miller law firm in Indianapolis.

OK. They are allowed. But if a job applicant catches wind of the inquiries, it could be a turnoff. And companies need to be careful.

“Competition for talent is fierce right now,” said Scott Erker, a senior vice president with Development Dimensions International, a Bridgeville, Pa., human resources consulting firm.

“You’ve only got so many good and talented workers that are going to show up for any one interview.”