Is it a good sign if your job interviewer calls your professional references?

Question

Last Thursday, I had an interview with two managers at the same time at Borders bookstore. I'd never before been "double-teamed" as they referred to it, so I was pretty stressed out about trying to impress two people at the same time and thought I did a terrible job. They also told me that they still had to interview a lot more people for the position, so I felt that was their way of subtly letting me know I most likely wouldn't get the job.

Yesterday (Monday) morning, my former manager texted me to tell me that Borders had called her for a reference. Is this normally a good sign? I would assume that if an interviewer wasn't interested in an applicant after an interview, they wouldn't bother to follow up on the references?

Answer 1

It shows interest & if everything checks out they may call for another interview, good luck!

Answer 2

Good job!   References are rarely called when an employer is not interested in the candidate after an interview.   They must have been impressed with you and is now proceeding with their next steps in the hiring process.  A second interview will most likely not occur since you have already met with 2 Managers there.   Good luck!

Answer 3

you're exactly right - they wouldn't waste time following up a reference for someone they're not interested in.  

try not to read too much into stock phrases as "we're interviewing a lot of people", they are just telling you the facts - they did interview other people.

very best of luck btw.