Getting Great Results: Tips for Checking References During the Hiring Process
As an HR consulting firm, we understand the importance of checking references during the hiring process. It's a critical step to ensure that the employee you're hiring is the right fit for your organization. However, it can be a daunting task, and mistakes can lead to compliance issues and bad hires. In this post, we'll discuss how to get great results when checking references.
Understand the Purpose of Checking References
The purpose of checking references is to verify the information provided by the candidate and to gain insight into their work history, performance, and behavior. You want to ensure that the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to perform the job and that they have a positive track record of working with others.
It's essential to have a clear understanding of what you're looking for in a candidate and the requirements of the job before checking references. This will help you ask targeted questions that are relevant to the position and give you a better understanding of how the candidate will fit into your organization.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
When checking references, it's essential to ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer. This will give you a better understanding of the candidate's work style, accomplishments, and challenges. It will also help you assess the candidate's strengths and weaknesses and whether they are a good fit for the job.
Examples of open-ended questions include:
Can you describe the candidate's work style?
What were some of the candidate's major accomplishments while working with you?
How did the candidate handle challenges or difficult situations while working with you?
By asking open-ended questions, you'll be able to gather more information about the candidate and make a more informed hiring decision.
Be Mindful of Compliance Issues
When checking references, it's important to be mindful of compliance issues. There are laws and regulations that dictate what you can and cannot ask when checking references, and violating them can lead to legal consequences.
For example, it's illegal to ask about a candidate's age, race, religion, marital status, or disability. You should also avoid asking questions that are not job-related, such as their sexual orientation, political affiliations, or personal relationships.
To ensure compliance, you should develop a list of questions that are relevant to the position and avoid deviating from them. You should also train your hiring managers on the legal requirements of checking references and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
In conclusion, checking references is a critical step in the hiring process that can help you make informed decisions and avoid bad hires. By understanding the purpose of checking references, asking open-ended questions, and being mindful of compliance issues, you can get great results and find the right employee for your organization.
