This hiring trend needs to die a quick and painful death

You’ve found a job that looks interesting enough to apply for and want to throw your hat into the ring…. You groan when you have to manually enter your work history into an online application, but at least you can copy and paste. And a text box to tell them why you’re the right candidate for the job? Ok, you were going to write a cover letter anyway…. who needs formatting?

But I’ve found a new and disturbing trend in online application forms that is completely unacceptable:

Please enter three references below (required).

How can I put this delicately?

No. Just no. We haven’t even had an initial phone screen yet. You haven’t told me anything about the role or given me the opportunity ask some basic questions. On what planet do you think the names and contact details of my references are appropriate questions to ask this early in our relationship?

Traditionally anyone more than a year out of school either leaves references off their resume completely or puts References available upon request at the bottom.

There’s a reason for this.

My references are a closely guarded resource. They are people that I admire and respect. And that feeling is mutual… hence the reason they’re willing to take time to be a reference when needed. Their time is valuable and I am only going to ask them to serve as a reference when I’ve decided that I’m actually willing to go to work for you.

When I’m filling out an online application I’ve (at most) decided your company has a position I might consider accepting if it seems like a good fit for both you and for me. But we haven’t even talked yet. Hell, you might say “after reviewing your resume we decided your experience may not be a good fit for the position” and we never get a chance to connect on a deep and meaningful level. So until we’ve talked and both come to the conclusion there may be a future for us, you don’t need to know anything about my references.

Trust is earned. I won’t squander mine by giving up my references before we’ve at least had a first date. Don’t squander yours by asking me to.