In the context of fierce competition, CV job referees can “make or break” an application.

Unreliable or fake references can end up in court, as seen in the high profile case in 2018 of Andrew Flanagan, who was fired as a group manager at Myer, after one day when it was revealed he listed fake referees.

So what obligations do referees have in helping their former colleagues secure a new gig? And what is the etiquette around reviewing poor performers?

Senior recruitment consultant at Randstad’s HR Partners Carla Wilkinson says that employer referees are “really important” when it comes to landing a job.

“There’s a lot of weight that’s given to them [references]. Particularly when it’s coming close to offering a candidate a role,” she said. But in recent years, those entering the workforce are becoming increasingly lax with prepping their referees.

Wilkinson says that around 80 per cent of referees she contacts are ready for the call, meaning 20 per cent are caught by surprise.

Careers reporter Kate Southam says it’s a “really bad look” to have out of date CV references.

“There’s a lot of weight that’s given to them [references]. Particularly when it’s coming close to offering a candidate a role,” she said.

But in recent years, those entering the workforce are becoming increasingly lax with prepping their referees. Wilkinson says that around 80 per cent of referees she contacts are ready for the call, meaning 20 per cent are caught by surprise.