You know that job I interviewed for?

Well, don't get too excited but my references were contacted. Very soon I will be offered the job!!!! very exciting. but unfortunately, two of the references i used didn't work out. that really disappointed me. If someone asks you for a reference and you say yes, don't go back later and say, i'm not sure i am allowed! that is bullcrap! so anyway, i found someone else here that is more than willing to give me a reference and i got another lady, an old boss, to give me one. so one reference already emailed them back, now i am just waiting on the new ones. when push comes to shove, you really learn who your friends are. very sad indeed. hopefully this won't ruin my chances with the company.  i will keep you posted. waiting sucks so bad!

Okay, Nicole, everything that's crossable is crossed for you!!!  I don't understand the reference issue, either!!!  That bites!!! Hopefully, it'll all work out to your benefit anyway!! Tia

It is unfortunate, but in this day there have been people who have sued other people for giving them a bad/false reference.  That's why most companies shy away from giving any and expect their employees to refuse to give them as well.  You may want to ask them (the people you asked to provide the reference) to give a personal reference.  That removes the "company" from liability.  However, it sounds like the company that you interviewed with is still interested, so that's a good thing.  They are used to people refusing to give references.  They know the deal in HR.   Good luck and keep pushing.

We are only allowed to confirm whether a person is/was an employee of our company.  We can't elaborate on their job duties, their performance, their work ethics..... I had an old team mate's prospective new employer call me asking for a reference.  The only thing I was allowed to do was to provide the guy with the phone number of our Human Resources Department.  And I believe our HR people only confirmed the dates of employment....nothing else.

Nicole,  I hope it works out for you!!  The waiting is the hardest part.

Keeping everything crossed for you!  Seems like they are very interested in you. Good luck!

Ohhhh Nicole, I feel really good about this, most of the time i have noticed the reference is more a formality specially in high tech market unless the reference ill come out and say no way jose, he is a psycho terrorist mental case which I doubt you are any of  the above!  so I am waiting for you to write us pretty soon about the offer. Play them well girl! Ellie

Good luck, Nicole, and don't let the disloyal ones get you down.  How sucky was that of them to back out?  a$$hats. 

Good news for you!  As Lisa stated above - companies usually don't give references.  They are only able to provide dates of employment and salary.  That's it!  People sue if anything else is provided.