Ask HN: Is providing references common to get tech jobs?

Not too common in my experience, but certainly way more common in the US compared to other parts of the world; it might depend on the type of role: I would guess that a tech job (e.g. software engineer) relies less on references compared to, say, a sales role.

I have only had to provide references twice in 12 years. I have alerted my managers ahead of time and they indicated a willingness to provide a reference. I left off my current job (I always find a new job before quitting the current one).

It's incredibly common here in the UK.