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Has anyone else had this experience? (It may be a Canadian, or even a Toronto
thing) :
References were checked by an outside agency hired specifically for the
purpose. Agency telephoned references; questions were detailed and probing.
Tactics verged on intimidation, based on the "scare 'em and they'll tell the
truth" theory.
Is this a trend?
On types of reference (if anyone's still interested! or reading):
My references are often project leaders with whom I have worked, but
who were not my supervisors. I was part of the project, but tended to be more
an associate who provided the documentation services to the project leader,
although the direction the documentation took, and review recommendations, were
driven by the project leader. Because these references were people who really
knew what the documentation was about, was supposed to be, and how well it was
done (as opposed to a manager who knows dick about writing!), and their role
has been carefully explained to the potential employer beforehand, these
references are effective. (Although I do recall having to respond to..."Uh, so
these people weren't your _managers_? Why are they on this list then?" But I
think there is a movement afoot to accept references from other than the
conventional boss.
On that note: some of my references who started out being my
managers/supervisors are now just peers...and friends (which is handy for
solving the moving around problem, 'cause you know where they are).
