Check the references in the CV properly

Sure, you can already evaluate everything the candidate said during the interview, but the check will help you get input from the managers they've worked with at previous companies. This.

When is the best time to verify information with references?

Reference checks should be used to determine if a candidate has the skills and abilities you think they have to make sure you don't get it wrong. The best time to do this is when you have completed your interviews, are about to issue a job offer, or are making your final selection between the top two or three candidates.

Checking candidates through references can give you a better idea of who the candidate is and how they will work in your company.

What is the best way to check through references?

Basically, there are two ways you can check with references in your CV: by email or by phone. While communicating with a reference via email would be appropriate for entry-level positions, a phone conversation for more insight is essential for more senior roles.

Some businesses have a policy of not providing references or confirming only basic job details, while others will direct you to the human resources department. However, be persistent and try to talk to the candidate's line manager as they will provide you with the most useful information. You can contact the reference in advance (or ask the candidate to do it) and schedule a specific time for the conversation.

What should you ask when checking information through references?

Questions to ask when checking email references include:

- Date the candidate worked at the company.

- Job title and main responsibilities of the candidate.

– Are they reliable, honest, hardworking?

– Do they have any undisciplined actions?

– Are there any reasons why the candidate should not be hired?

Questions to check for more detailed phone information include:

- What are the candidate's main responsibilities in their recent role?

- What is the candidate's strongest point?

– Do you think the candidate is qualified for this new role?

- What specific qualities does the candidate have that will help them fulfill these responsibilities?

– Which management style is the candidate suitable for?

- What office environment do they work best in?

- How well did the candidate apply a skill or handle a particular situation?

– What is the candidate's reason for leaving?

– If possible, would you re-hire this candidate?

Some things to remember

Ask open-ended questions

Always make sure you ask open-ended questions, not yes-or-no questions, and let the reference do the bulk of the talking. Don't ask leading questions like "X said that one of his main responsibilities is Y, is that correct?" but ask “What are some of the key responsibilities of X?”.

Avoid negative questions

Don't ask questions that are intended to attract negative comments, such as "What are the weaknesses of this candidate?". Most references would feel uncomfortable giving negative feedback about a previous employee.

Instead, you need to elicit and feel negative feedback from what isn't said, like hesitation in answering or deliberately ignoring it. Additionally, their tone of voice can also reveal a lot when it comes to certain aspects of a former employee.

Vague question

Don't ask questions that are too general or can be interpreted in different ways, such as "What is your impression of this candidate's personality?". It's best to stick to the skills relevant to the candidate's old and new positions. Make sure you probe the candidate's responsibilities carefully if you suspect they're overstating the job.

Take notes

Notes are essential. You are busy and may forget the details discussed over the phone. Keeping notes makes it easy to spot differences between a candidate's two references and check for any discrepancies. You may also need to refer to the notes when comparing final candidates and making hiring decisions.

No matter how busy you are or how rushed the recruitment process is, you should not shy away from verifying a candidate's information with references. The more time and attention you put into reviewing references on your CV, the better your chances of finding the right candidate or avoiding making a poor hiring decision.