Character References

[The Moose]

I have given many references for people who have worked for me, but a good mate of mine has asked me to be a character reference for a job he's applying for.

When they call, what will they be asking? And what sort of things will I be expected to say?

I'm a little unsure as to what exactly I will be required to answer if they call??

Any suggestions would be great!

Cheers

The Moose

[10 Pence Short]

Just remember not to sign it in an obviously incorrect way.

[Neil H]

Try not to use the 'c***' word too much, they don't like that.

[10 Pence Short]

But do use 'f*cksocks'.

[Pothole]

If I was the one asking I'd want to know how long you'd known him and in what capacity, whether you would say he was honest, hard-working, trustworthy, able to come in on time every time etc.

[cv01jw]

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

[Pothole]

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

cheeky s, that's not a character reference that's snooping imho.

[The Moose]

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

That would be a little bizzarre to be asked?!?! I know the answer, but don't think they are appropriate for a future employer to ask??

Thanks for the pointers PotHole - I just havn't been asked for one of these before and not sure what's expected of me!

Cheers

The Moose

[Pothole]

do let us know how it goes!

[Taita]

Don't sign it:

Cheers,

The Moose

[sleep envy]

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

why kind of job makes an employer ask those questions?

[The Moose]

Taita said:

Don't sign it:

Cheers,

The Moose

Matey has said it may well be a phone call rather than something writen which is why I'm asking now on the off chance they give me a call!!

If he pisses me off between now and then, he may suddenly spend all his money on coke and hookers!!! I guess if the interviewer is a PHer, they will look favourably on that!!

Cheers

The Moose

[spud989]

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

That sexuality question is most definitely illegal.

[tank slapper]

sleep envy said:

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

why kind of job makes an employer ask those questions?

Sounds very much like the sort of questions that the security services might ask when screening someone. A chap I know was an intelligence officer in the RAF and they went through his entire life with a fine tooth comb, including contacting ex-girlfriends etc and asked some extremely personal questions. They were looking mainly for whether he had been truthful with them, and also for areas where he might be susceptible to compromise through blackmail or the like.

[cv01jw]

sleep envy said:

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

why kind of job makes an employer ask those questions?

Not sure exactly what he does as he isnt allowed to tell me, but he works for AWE now.

[the-gofer]

cv01jw said:

sleep envy said:

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

why kind of job makes an employer ask those questions?

Not sure exactly what he does as he isnt allowed to tell me, but he works for AWE now.

In which case it is probably a character reference for security clearance (possibly DV) that you were acting as. IANAL but I would imagine that it is perfectly OK to ask any question about orientation, race, religion etc. - you are just not allowed to discriminate against any answer.

As far as I know, the point of some of those questions is to correlate answers between people and what the applicant disclosed - I.e. are they trying to hide something which could be used as a lever against the individual which may then lead to compromising state secrets.

I haven't gone through DV myself (though I know several who have) but have gone through SC. SC is relatively painless, but they do ask questions about your financial background and status - again, checking for levers at a guess.

[bonsai]

I would ask you why your friend doesn't have any previous employer references as they're going to be far less biased than a mate.

[paoloh]

bonsai said:

I would ask you why your friend doesn't have any previous employer references as they're going to be far less biased than a mate.

That would be a job reference not a character/personal ref.

[Monki]

sleep envy said:

cv01jw said:

I did one of these recently and, in addition to normal questions like is he trustworthy etc, they asked such things as:

- Does Mr.X take drugs or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X drink (excessively) or have I ever known him to
- Does Mr.X have any unusual sexual tendencies (?) that I am aware of - including a sub question of is he homosexual
- Has Mr.X ever used a prostitute (that I am aware of)

why kind of job makes an employer ask those questions?

TV presenter for childrens BBC? If they answer "yes" to all of the above they get the job

[V8mate]

bonsai said:

I would ask you why your friend doesn't have any previous employer references as they're going to be far less biased than a mate.

Some employers actually now stipulate that they want one of each: one employment reference and one character reference.

ETA: probably because employment references have become virtually useless these days.

Edited by V8mate on Monday 4th January 12:55