I think that references are a big deal and putting them off as a ‘safety check’ after the offer is made seems weird. That said, I agree with them being a blocker for applicants at the early stage—wanting to ask a senior person to be a reference if they’re seriously being considered, but not ask if they’re not, and not wanting to bet wrong.
To be clear, I meant asking for a reference before an offer is actually made, at the stage when offers are being decided (so that applicants who don’t receive offers one way or the other don’t ‘use up’ their references).
I think that references are a big deal and putting them off as a ‘safety check’ after the offer is made seems weird. That said, I agree with them being a blocker for applicants at the early stage—wanting to ask a senior person to be a reference if they’re seriously being considered, but not ask if they’re not, and not wanting to bet wrong.
To be clear, I meant asking for a reference before an offer is actually made, at the stage when offers are being decided (so that applicants who don’t receive offers one way or the other don’t ‘use up’ their references).