Your employment references should be treated with kid gloves. The last thing you want is a number of companies that may or may not have a real interest in hiring you bothering your employment references. What's more, you want to meet with a prospective employer first to leave a favorable impression before an employment reference check takes place.  If you suspect an employment reference check will reveal a less than favorable employment reference from someone, you can use the interview to address the situation proactively, from your perspective.