When checking references, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure that you are obtaining accurate and useful information. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind:
DO:
- Verify that the references provided are current and relevant to the job or opportunity for which the candidate is being considered.
- Contact references directly, rather than relying on the candidate to provide you with information.
- Ask open-ended questions that allow the reference to provide detailed and specific information.
- Take notes during the reference check to help you remember important details later.
DON'T:
- Base your hiring decision solely on the information provided by references.
- Contact references without obtaining the candidate's permission first.
- Ask leading questions that may bias the reference's response.
- Share reference information with anyone who is not directly involved in the hiring process.
It's also important to keep in mind that the best references are people who have worked with the candidate in a professional setting, and who can speak to the candidate's skills, qualifications, and work ethic.
It's also important to keep in mind the legal side of reference checking, you should be sure to comply with any federal and state laws regarding reference checking, including laws related to discrimination and privacy.
Overall, checking references is an important step in the hiring process, but it should be used in conjunction with other forms of assessment, such as interviews and skills testing, to gain a complete picture of the candidate's qualifications.