[dexwiz]

Something like this wouldn't even be legal in many areas, because employers are limited on the information they can share about employees beyond employment status. That is why referrals are person based and not company based.

Also you assume employees would love it. But what happens when you get blackballed in the system by a bad actor? How do you dispute what prior employers said about you?

[gregjor]

You won't know what past employers say about you. If you can show a past employer badmouthed you or hindered you getting hired you probably have a legal cause of action in the US.

Past employers generally only confirm dates of employment, title, vague job responsibilities. Calling a company to check prior employment will go to HR. The most telling question: Would you hire Joe Bloggs again? Beyond that past employers rarely say anything for fear of lawsuits. A former "toxic boss" may cost you a job prospect but by doing so they have put a pot of gold on the table for you and your lawyers.

Only an idiot lists references when they aren't sure what the reference will say if contacted. Of course recruiters and employers know that, so they only give so much weight to what former colleagues or professors have to say.

Professional certifications may have some value, as long as everyone knows they are fair and objective and measure actual abilities. So many useless certificates exist, and even the good ones get gamed, that I doubt they carry much weight.

[shnkr]

>How do you dispute what prior employers said about you?

Are they not doing that already? Even with all the current processes, employers are taking a chance. If a candidate profile is good, can't they take the same chance without all those processes?

[dexwiz]

Recruiters don't call up a business and just ask "how was X at their job?" They are given a list of referrals by the candidate. I am talking about situations where a toxic boss may say negative things for personal reasons. Currently, the candidate can filter out these by choosing people they assume will give positive reviews.