How to Get the Most from Reference Checks
Posted January 9th, 2017
You are a hiring manager and have finally come to the end of a long and arduous hiring process. You have a top candidate that you are ready to make an offer to. There is only one thing left to do – reference checks.
Interestingly, many recruiters and hiring managers do not handle the reference check process all that well, making some fundamental errors. Reference checks are important and can give hiring managers some real insight into job candidates, so the checks should not be taken lightly. Here are some tips.
1. Give reference checks the time and effort they deserve.
A quick five-minute chat on the phone with a reference really is not going to cut it. Even worse is relying on an email or not doing a check at all. Remember, the cost to the company will be high if the new hire does not work out.
2. Check with at least two references
Experienced recruiters suggest this two-reference minimum. It is a good way to find out if the candidate is who they appear to be.
3. Plan your questions
Use the job description and any other performance criteria for the job to create your list of questions.
Some other questions that you need to ask: how is the reference related to the job candidate, how long have they known the candidate. Questions that may help you glean valuable information about the candidate: What are the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, how does the person relate to others, how does the person react in stressful situations.
You want to get the reference to talk about the candidate’s past performance and their overall behavior on the job.
4. The one must-ask question.
Here it is – Would you hire the person again? The answer to this question will really be able to tell you about your job candidate. If you get an answer like, “Well, I suppose,” that says one thing, but if you get an answer like, “In a New York minute,” that says something completely different.
5. Take good notes
Don’t rely on your memory here. You may need to refer to these notes later in making your decision. Make sure they are accurate and complete.
If you want to collaborate with a staffing firm to find top-notch job candidates in technology-related fields, Bayside Solutions is here to help you. Bayside specializes in finding jobs for people in the technology sector, everything from engineering, to biotechnology, to IT. Give Bayside a call today.
