Many people ask what it means if an employer does a reference check after-interview for job-seekers, and the simple answer is that they are interested in you. However, it does not necessarily mean anything more than that, so don't start to get your hopes up too much, too soon.

At what stage do employers ask for references?

Many employers leave reference checks until after the first-stage interviews, when they have narrowed down the pool of potential employees. A previous employer's opinion can be extremely useful at this stage to decide between candidates with similar experience or qualifications.

Do employers check references before or after an offer?

Employers will reach out to your references prior to offering a job – so generally near the end of the hiring process. ... The employer could be doing references for a few other candidates and may have more steps to follow that may cause them to reassess their decision once more.