Referee fraud

Craig asks why employers and recruiters prefer candidates to provide landlines for referees instead of mobile phone numbers.

"I'm a tradesman and often a mobile is the only number I can provide," writes Craig.

Well Craig, if your referee is a one-person operator who only uses a mobile and your potential employer is in the same boat, I don't see a problem. I'd imagine an established plumber, tiler, carpenter and so on would be able to tell if your referee is the real deal or not. If your referee works for a company with a switchboard number, then provide both numbers - landline and mobile - and then it is up to the reference checker to make the most of the information.

In general, reference checkers prefer switchboard numbers so they can check the name and title of your referee before speaking to him or her. There have been some quite spectacular cases of referee fraud including at the most senior executive levels.

Reference checking is usually the last thing an employer does before hiring someone. On hire companies - temp agencies - will reference check you early in the process so when a job comes in that suits you, they have pre-screened you and can send you out to a client. In both cases, it is in your best interest to make reference checking as easy as possible. For those with further questions, read "Advice on Referees" in the Ask Kate Archives of www.careerone.com.au
Click on the "Job-hunting advice" link and then Ask Kate.

By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au

Visit CareerOne and read the Blog with posts from "Ask Kate" and other job seekers - www.careerone.com.au and click on Kate's Blog on the home page.