Top Law Schools

Anyone know if it's usual for a major fed government employer to contact only some references? Some of my references were checked, but others weren't. I know because some told me and the ones whom I asked said they hadn't been called. Was wondering if anyone knows about these kind of practices and why they do it.

I don't know anything about how different agencies handle this, but I had 2 fedgov jobs contact references. One contacted only one of my references, the other contacted all three. I think that with the former, they contacted that reference because it was the judge I'm clerking for, not former professors, and they figured he'd have the most recent impression of me (and the most employment-y impression). I don't think you should read anything negative into it.

I have a friend who did non-security clearance background checks for a government agency. She very rarely called all the references unless there was a specific question that had to be asked or if a red flag was raised.

Who really has time to call three people, give the exact same spiel, and listen to them tell boring stories and inflated flattery?

Often, however, the references are saved in case problems arise later in the process/employment.