Reference

I former co-worker who got caught up in the recent RIF got in touch with me recently. Luckily for him he's already lined up a couple of interviews. Hopefully he'll be back working in high tech soon.

He contacted me to ask if he could use me as a reference. I said OK. He's a pretty good guy. This is the first time someone asked me to be a reference. Maybe I'm getting somewhere in high tech after over nine years doing it, if someone asks if they can use me as a reference. I kind of hope his potential employer contacts me. I'm curious what kind of questions reference checkers ask. I'll post what happens if they do get in touch.

I don't think employers are generally too keen on their people being references for former co-workers. The problem is that once their people talk to recruiters at all, the recruiters know who they are and could start to target them to jump. This is especially bad after a downsizing since you'll be short staffed anyway and hiring someone new to fill for someone quitting is just not very likely to happen. So you'll just be even weaker. I think one of the last things an employer wants after a RIF is for any of the survivors to voluntarily leave.