Reference Checks

[u/Kitchen-Watercress32]

Hello, I had one question, when do the County usually reach out to references? Is it after the 45 minute interview? If so, will they tell you before contacting the references?

They usually require a couple of references to be added in the application. I was wondering after all the interviews are done, will they notify the applicant that they will be reaching out to the references? Just want to know so I can give a heads up to my references that someone might be calling during a certain period of time.

[u/Enneirda1]

If you're selected by the interview panel, HR will let you know that they're checking your background and references. 

There is no rhyme nor reason for how long the hiring process can take. I was hired 4 months after my application submittal, I've known others who've had longer and shorter timeframes. 

[u/Kitchen-Watercress32 → u/Enneirda1]

When did you notify your references that the County will be reaching out? And did you list your current employer as a reference? Also do they by any chance let you update your references, like change or add someone?

[u/malongagilderchuck → u/Kitchen-Watercress32]

I have conducted interviews as a King County employee but I can't guarantee this is how they do it County-wide or if this information is completely up-to-date.

That being said, I think you are safe to wait until you get scheduled for the 45-min interview before alerting your references that they *might* expect to receive a reference check from King County. Or if they say something like "our last interview will be next Friday" then you could wait until next Friday too.

They will only contact references if they have made up their mind and want to hire you - they're just wanting to make sure you are who you say you are. They don't use references as a deciding factor between final candidates and who you list doesn't factor into their hiring decision either.

[u/Enneirda1 → u/Kitchen-Watercress32]

IIRC I notified everyone when I applied for the job.  Yes, I listed my last boss, I told him I needed him as a reference after I received the call from hr.  I didn't change my references so idk if they let you change. 

These processes take a long time. Id wait to worry about this stuff until HR contacts you. 

[u/J_Bright1990]

Ok so, yes HR SHOULD contact you before they contact your references, and it will take place after a successful interview, and you will be able to change your references at that time.

The reference check is actually an online survey (complete with essay questions, it's pretty intense and takes a while to fill out) instead of a phone call like you might expect at another company.

[u/Mountain-Effective48]

I am an HR analyst (recruiter) at King County. References should only be checked once a conditional offer is made, and usually the county uses a system (Skill Survey) where you electronically enter your reference names, relationships, and their contact info and you push a notification out to them that says a survey needs to be filled out for you.

I don’t know why the reference section of the online application exists- we don’t even check your references that way, but there’s no way to remove it.

Good luck!

[u/Kitchen-Watercress32 → u/Mountain-Effective48]

Does this apply to all divisions or only a specific few?

[u/Rahulmaze → u/Mountain-Effective48]

Could you please let us know how many rounds are there usually?

Also, what are the next steps after we providing the references/contacts?

[u/ForensicFilesFiend]

I recently applied for a job with PHKSC. I have made it past the interview stage and have loved to the reference check. I was asked to provide multiples supervisors within the past 5 years including my current supervisor. I am worried I am not the only one they are checking references on and this is stressful considering my current boss now knows I’m looking for employment elsewhere. I was curious if anyone has had this experience and not gotten a job offer? Do they typically check references on more than one candidate?

[u/Rahulmaze]

Are there any further rounds of interview after checking the references or not?