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When do firms call your references (assuming they asked for a list)? After your callback, when they are deciding whether or not to extend an offer? In between the screening interview and the callback interview?

Also, what is the purpose of calling references? Are they just trying to ensure that what you said on your resume/interview is true or are they going to ask your reference about your ability, work ethic, personality, maturity, etc?

When firms contact references depends upon the firm. Covington called my references before extending a callback offer. Other firms contact the references after the callback.

I haven't spoken to my references to know exactly what was asked, but from what my interviewer mentioned to me, it seems like they either asked (or were told) about my work ethic, legal reasoning/writing skills, and personality.