[robswc]

This is my question too.

I'm no longer job searching but every interview involved multiple steps and "background checks."

I'm seeing the dude's resume has him working half a dozen jobs in a year which even to me is a huge red flag. Then he has a github with automated commits... I don't want to be disparaging to start ups because its brutal out there but how does someone like that have such a high success rate? Is he taking a super low salary or something?

[Aurornis]

On Twitter some of the founders discussed this. He would give references to people who answered the phone and then praised his work generically. One person said they thought it was strange that both of his reference checks seemed like really young guys, but it's the startup world so they overlooked it.

There was one Tweet from someone who said they did a reference check from someone who said he did good work when he was working, but he was working multiple jobs at the same time so he wasn't working much. Maybe he assumed his references wouldn't be checked often, and maybe he was right?

[robswc]

To add to this. It would be great to see which companies he interviewed at but didn't get the job. Would argue those companies have better BS-detectors conducting the interviews.

[crossroadsguy]

For my last job — the guy who was supposed to verify my permanent address called me and asked me to ask someone in my village to take a photo of the house with same day newspaper in the view and send it to him. I forwarded the request to my future employer asking whether it was the normal verification procedure :-)

[ReptileMan]

Unicorns are easier to find than newspapers. If you threaten to shoot me unless I bring newspaper - I am not even sure where they sell them anymore in my city.

[jen20]

Last time I was in New York City I could not for the life of me find a paper copy of the New York Times to read. Newsstands appear to just be selling candy and drinks.

[kaashif]

You can get the New York Times and other newspapers in airports still. I do still buy a newspaper before a flight sometimes, but I actually shouldn't because flights have WiFi now.

Irrational and nostalgic.

[jen20]

Yes - I know you can get them in airports (lounges often give them out for free) - I just thought it a little bizarre that I couldn't find a copy of the New York Times in midtown Manhattan!

[deepsun]

Background checks come in different varieties, usually it's criminal and global watchlist checks. Employment and education check is couple $$ extra for the employer, and some employers really don't mind.

[gk1]

It’s also possible to “freeze” your employment history report just like you can freeze your credit report. Which prevents even companies with the wherewithal to do an employment history check from getting that information.

[deepsun]

Interesting, how do to that "freeze"? I thought it's all data brokers I don't have any leverage on.

[gk1]

https://employees.theworknumber.com/employee-data-freeze

[FireBeyond]

You have to do it via a mailed-in form, but I did, and got a confirmation letter back. I haven't assessed the efficacy of it, but supposedly mine is.

[mistrial9]

age