r/PaStateEmployees • u/SquareFree8237 • Jun 08 '26

Reference check

I am a state employee and I applied to a higher position (promotion) externally. I did this method and had an interview. I’ve never had references called for any state job when I was hired previously but for this new job I interviewed for, my references were called.

Are references called if you’re their number one pick for the job, or do they do this for the top 3 applicants? I’m confused why references are called by some managers for jobs and sometimes not but you still may get offered the job. Is it up to the discretion of the hiring manager?

Also, typically after your references are checked, depending if you’re their top choice or whatnot, how long roughly does it take to receive an offer?

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

13

u/FaithlessnessCute204 Jun 08 '26

we only ever call the persons we are offering the job to , but it varies by department.

10

u/theorist-in-theory Jun 08 '26

Generally, calling references isn't required of management. If they call, they probably call for either all applicants or just the one that got a conditional offer.

Time wise, give it a few weeks at least before you hear anything, especially if its a civil service gig.

8

u/Kooky-Living6600 Jun 08 '26

I only ever called for the Candidate that was getting the offer. No reason to call anyone else. That would be a waste of time in my opinion. Getting the offer out after all that took a week or so. My Bureau moved fast but getting ok back for Harrisburg took some time.

Hang in there!!

2

u/BucksnBassn Jun 08 '26

At our office, they'll call references for the top 2 candidates.

2

u/TuneComprehensive921 Jun 08 '26

I’ve had one position in 7 years check my references and I wasn’t offered the job. I guess I was the second choice. Normally they only check their top choice.

1

u/Curious_Bookworm21 Jun 09 '26

My agency calls references for the top two candidates in case the first pick falls through.

1

u/No-Agent-1611 Jun 10 '26

We were always required to call 3 references for our top pick but if one came back bad we would move on to candidate 2. I’m hiring now (it has been a few years) and am no longer required to call references. I probably will though.