Question about Job References

[wyvrn]

I am applying for a position to setup networks/run cable/install computers for a contracting company. I am in school currently and have not worked full time in about 2 years. I gave a list of references, but I am not sure if the people are still working at my old companies. What is the thinking on this? If the employer cannot contact my refs, should I still be able to get the job? It's not my responsibility to keep track of my past managers and coworkers. But I'm afraid they won't hire me because of it.

 

[blackdogdeek]

for all the jobs i've had i've always put "References available upon request" on my resume and no one has ever asked for them.

 

[bigalt]

you're probably okay, but it sort of is your responsibility to keep track of anyone who you're going to list as a reference.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
I am applying for a position to setup networks/run cable/install computers for a contracting company. I am in school currently and have not worked full time in about 2 years. I gave a list of references, but I am not sure if the people are still working at my old companies. What is the thinking on this? If the employer cannot contact my refs, should I still be able to get the job? It's not my responsibility to keep track of my past managers and coworkers. But I'm afraid they won't hire me because of it.

If a manager moves on, it will not be held against you. Worst case is that they may ask if there is anyone else at the compnay that knows of you.

 

[GasX]

If they want to check references and give them references that don't exist or that are impossible to contact, the aren't references...

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
for all the jobs i've had i've always put "References available upon request" on my resume and no one has ever asked for them.

Me too. But this time they asked. What is funny is I've worked for this company before about 4 years ago, and they have a great deal of my work history already. Maybe the client is really picky on contract, I dunno.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If they want to check references and give them references that don't exist or that are impossible to contact, the aren't references...

Well, I cannot stop people from moving to different companies or areas of the country. The fact that my references moved on doesn't mean I am unemployable, does it? I really think they should take into account I haven't worked in 2 years.

edit: I know for sure they will be able to reach one of my past managers because he and I are friends and we keep up, but they want 3 references. I worked for Enron before that, which of course went under, so those references are all invalid. The next company back I worked for 5 years ago, and I am pretty sure my old manager took retirement and the rest of the people have moved on by now (it's a cell center).

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
for all the jobs i've had i've always put "References available upon request" on my resume and no one has ever asked for them.

Me too. But this time they asked. What is funny is I've worked for this company before about 4 years ago, and they have a great deal of my work history already. Maybe the client is really picky on contract, I dunno.

wouldn't it be easy enough for you to contact your list of reference, and if they're not there anymore, you take them out from yoru list. duh

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: beyonddc

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
for all the jobs i've had i've always put "References available upon request" on my resume and no one has ever asked for them.

Me too. But this time they asked. What is funny is I've worked for this company before about 4 years ago, and they have a great deal of my work history already. Maybe the client is really picky on contract, I dunno.

wouldn't it be easy enough for you to contact your list of reference, and if they're not there anymore, you take them out from yoru list. duh

Then I wouldn't have a list. That's the point of my OP. I know one of my refs is valid, but the rest have probably moved on to different jobs. I am a full-time student now so obviously I don't have really recent work references to list. Hey I cannot control what people do, and the original question is how do you handle a situation like this? They can easily verify my past employement by calling the companies, but they want technical references to assess my experience. The point is, what is and is not reasonable in this situation.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If they want to check references and give them references that don't exist or that are impossible to contact, the aren't references...

Well, I cannot stop people from moving to different companies or areas of the country. The fact that my references moved on doesn't mean I am unemployable, does it? I really think they should take into account I haven't worked in 2 years.

edit: I know for sure they will be able to reach one of my past managers because he and I are friends and we keep up, but they want 3 references. I worked for Enron before that, which of course went under, so those references are all invalid. The next company back I worked for 5 years ago, and I am pretty sure my old manager took retirement and the rest of the people have moved on by now (it's a cell center).

The guy you keep up with is a legitimate reference. The others aren't until you can contact them. Besides, you don't want a reference talking about you to a company until you have discuss it with them first. Try a current professor.

 

[wyvrn]

I thought about professors, but they want work references. They were very specific. Worst case I just tell them I don't have them and they hire someone else. Seems like a negative side effect of going back to school is that it's hard to find a job when you finish. Really, I expected them to be a bit more reasonable. They called me, not the other way around.

 

[HamSupLo]

Get one of your friends to pretend to be a reference. Give them your friend's number. I know someone who had no choice but to do this because their references moved on and were out of touch.

 

[Nitemare]

Just give them references from your first tour of duty there.

 

[rh71]

If the new job is really important to you, I'd go so far as to contact the HR depts of my old companies and just let them know what you're doing... all you have to do is make sure you have the latest contact information.