I applied for a job that is a better opportunity, or so I thought. Everything went great from when the recruiter spoke to me to when I had my phone interview, and then an awesome in person interview with the team a day or two later with the recommendation to hire. They asked for references and I provided them with three, told the people to be on the lookout for a phone call/be prepared to call back and talk me up. Everyone gave a thumbs up on that one.
I reach out via email today as it's been about two weeks regarding offer letter. Surely at this point my awesomeness has bypassed the need to call references. Who even calls references anymore, especially if they like the person? I haven't been asked for references in like – well, never actually. I receive an email back saying “the references are not answering.” Huh, that's funny. I reach out to them – they say they have not gotten a phone call, and if they did, there was no voicemail left for them to return the call (understandable).
I understand confidentiality and all, but if I give you permission to call these people why are you not leaving a voicemail if they don't answer? I wrote back explaining that everyone works, provided two more references for 'character' and explained that while this is my first choice and I understand there are staffing issues, but I do have other opportunities and offers that I have to follow up on (there's not, but apparently that's the trick).