Do programs call to verify references?

[speechietobe]

Hi!

So I have worked for a few years for a large company that has a policy of not giving references. I have not one but 8 managers, and while they would love to vouch for my character they aren't allowed to. Apparently the story is that the company does not want to be linked to someone if they claim that they're a good person who later messes up. 

So, what are the odds that programs will contact me for references of the places I put on my resume? I can't leave my work experience off my resume because then it will look like I haven't been doing much for years, but I feel like if they contact me for a number and I can't provide one it will seem weird. 

 

Thanks!!

[OverCaffeinated]

i didnt put any numbers for my work experiences or some of my volunteering... simply because i dont actually want programs to call them... i havent worked there enough for them to give me a glowing recommendation. i think it will be fine

Edited December 11, 2015 by OverCaffeinated

[avflinsch]

6 hours ago, speechietobe said:

So I have worked for a few years for a large company that has a policy of not giving references.

I worked at a large consulting firm before coming into the academic world, the real policy of not giving references is more of a CYA policy at most companies so that a former employee does not complain that they gave a bad reference. The end result is that most places will only verify employment dates, and approximate salary.

Do you know if any of your former managers or colleagues that are now employed at a different company? If you were in good standing with them, they should probably give you a good reference. Networking sites like LinkedIn are good for that sort of thing.

Edited December 11, 2015 by avflinsch
typo