Reference checks are always fun. We ask for professional references, but every now and then you get someone who can't think of enough, so they put down their best friend from elementary school or their own mom (thinking that, because she has a new last name from a second marriage, it's never going to come up in our conversation).
These are the funnest calls to make, the best-friend-as-reference, because they all seem to follow the same general pattern:
ME- Hi, this is so and so from ABC Company (not my actual name and company). We've had an applicant put you down as a reference. Do you have a minute to talk to me about _____?
OTHER PERSON- (A brief silence as they realize the thing their friend drilled them about the night before is actually happening. You can almost feel the phrases they practiced going through their mind.)
Oh...yeah. No problem. (Voice usually deepening a bit to sound more professional and picks up a slightly nervous edge)
ME- Great. So what can you tell me about _____?
OTHER PERSON then goes on to extol the virtues of the friend in question, using every cliche and business buzz-word they imagine a fancy company would put on a performance evaluation. Things like, "She always gives 110%" or, "A real team-player!" or, "Would be a valuable asset to any organization."
ME- Great. What insights can you give me on ____'s work ethic?
OTHER PERSON- "Ummmm..." (Another pause as their mind races. Usually they then just repeat what they said before, making sure to hit each buzz-word again.)
ME- All right, let me just write that down. Excellent. And how do you know _____?
OTHER PERSON- (Usually relaxes noticeably at this question)
Oh, she dated my roommate last year and we used to play Mario Kart together whenever she came over.
ME- Wonderful. Thanks for your time; I am now going to light myself on fire.
Of course these kind of references aren't worth much, as even O.J. Simpson could find three people who would say nice things about him.
They're fun calls to make though.
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2 comments:
This is only sort of related, but I remember when UVSC stopped asking for letters of recommendation for scholarships. The found that the people that wrote the letters were the same people who read the letters. So they began simply asking for a letter from the applicant, and based their decision on the applicant's writing ability.
As always, fantastic HR story.
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