You absolutely can and should.
Entry level, probably will get denied.
But if you’re applying to management or significant roles that are typically hired slow, you absolutely should ask to talk with other employees.
Tried that one time and they said they wouldn’t put me in touch with anyone that worked at that location until I accepted the position. Social media pulled through on that one and I managed to talk to people there anyways, but thought I was dumb that I had to go behind their backs to get it done
No shit, during interviews one of my go to questions is why is this elrole empty? New hire or backfill? Did the person put in their notice? If they’re still here… Can I talk to them?
Almost always got straight answers, and they actually had me meet the person leaving.
I asked “why is this role empty” when interviewing for my current job.
The interviewer looked sad and explained that he had died a couple of months prior. Oops.
Still a good question to ask.
Definitely the next question is “what of”
Jobs that ask for references should be prohibited from having a “no references” policy. That is to say if you ask for references, you must also give references when asked.
The “do you have any questions for us” part of the interview is the opportunity to get a feel for the company if you hadn’t had it already, if you’re past the stage of HR boxcheckers and talking to people in and around the team you’ll actually be working with.
If you’re in that industry already, then you’ll get to know enough people who aren’t quiet about their experiences at other companies, good or bad.
I would also like to talk to 3 of their unhappy employees.
I have been through a few interviews in developer jobs. Typically I am put through a conversation with HR, then someone representing the leadership, then a couple of developers. In each conversation I’m highly encouraged to ask questions.
So in my opinion, the employers are extremely firm with pushing their references upon me.
Not sure how reliable they are but rate my employer type websites do exist:
https://www.ratemyemployer.ca/Home
doesn’t everyone kinda do that already? on every interview I always try to get a hint on how it is to work there… and if the vibes are not there I just stop.
Once I was getting weird vibes in an interview, there was one “boss” and two “engineers” (quotes because they were probably all engineers, just that the roles were quite clear) and I interrupted the interview to ask the engineers “are you happy working there?” and they basically didn’t answer with words, but their faces were very transparent… so yeah, I didn’t “call them back” lol (or rather the next time they did I turned them down)
normally I’m a bit more subtle though.
I don’t know if that’s the best question, thiugh.
First, if you’re going to put them on the spot like that, in the middle of a room with their supervisor nearby, and ask them a question they weren’t anticipating, the response is probably going to be a bit odd.
But frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever been “happy” working anywhere, even in my current position. I get paid well, good benefits, work load isn’t too much, people are nice, etc. but I’m not “happy” working there. I won’t be “happy” working anywhere. Cause I’m working, and working does not make me happy.
That’s almost the inverse of the shitty interview question “Why do you want to work here?” It’s a ridiculous question for the majority of people in the majority of cases. “Cause I need money and your hiring.”
I think a better question would be “Are content here? Are you heard, compensated, and treated well?”
LoL, one time, amusing myself, when I was handing my ID over to the Bouncer at the Bar, I thought, I should ask for his ID. Dude got seriously upset at the request.
I’m an employer and I absolutely do suggest talking to my employees to my candidates
A decent employer will be proud to showcase their employees. Building healthy relationships and a nurturing work environment is the stock and trade of good management.
