How important are references when employing someone? What is classed as a "valid" reference?

Personally I think the use of references can be mixed.  Obviously as the job seeker I'm looking to offer up references who will say good things about me.  Now, if I don't have anyone to say nice things about me, then that says it all.

A "valid" reference, to me, is anyone who is/was in a position of being able to judge your work habits/values.  Values are really an underutilised element in determining the fit of a potential employee to an organisation.

I'm sure most hiring people would say only a former boss is really the best one to judge your work habits, but I am inclined to not agree.  There's something called the Fido rule - you, Fido's owner (Fido is your dog), watch him, and think you know what motivates him completely, but you really only watch him10% of the time.  Fido, on the other hand, watches you90% of the time - because he relies on you for everything: food, water, access to the outside to go pee...he knows exactly what will motivate you to get up and take him for a walk, whereas you know generalities about him.

If you want to know about an employee, ask their subordinates, and co-workers.

Reference check is the most important part for recruitment process. For getting fair judgement on him or her, we got03 references01 from present supervisor and another from previous supervisor as we as last one from HR of present organization. After that we send to Head Quarter of UK.

The references Skill set when employing someone.

1. commercial judgement
2. product/technical knowledge
3. time management
4. planning, budgeting and forecasting
5. reporting and administration
6. communication skills
7. delegation skills
8. IT/equipment/machinery skills
9. meeting expectations, deadlines and commitments
10. creativity
11. problem-solving and decision-making
12. team-working and developing/helping others
13. energy, determination and work-rate
14. steadiness under pressure
15. leadership and integrity
16. adaptability, flexibility, and mobility
17. personal appearance and image
18. appreciation and application of social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical considerations