zlacker

>>jrs235+(OP)
I disagree with his point about references. They tell you nothing and are a hundred percent of the time only going to tell you positive things about the employee, regardless of reality. No one with half a brain would ever give a reference out that wasn't going to be positive. Even if you don't have one positive reference, asking a friend to pretend to be one is easy and I don't doubt it happens even when people have qualified references. I'd much rather interview a potential employee than have to use references. The mere thought of references making any difference whatsoever in a hiring decision is rather angering in its stupidity.

>>joesmo+U7
You may be thinking of references from HR. Those won't tell you anything insightful about the candidate. But if I know someone I trust who has worked with the candidate and can give me a strong recommendation, that's a huge factor in my decision.

In other words, my ex-coworkers's co-workers make for a great filter.