Reference Check Strategies: Preparing Your Contacts for Success
Reference checks are a crucial part of the hiring process. They provide valuable insights into a candidate’s past performance and can help employers make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the best fit for their company. However, reference checks are only effective if done correctly. And that involves not only selecting the right people to provide references but also preparing them for success. In this article, we will discuss some reference check strategies that can help you get the most useful information from your contacts and make the hiring process smoother. 
Why are reference checks important?
Before we dive into the strategies, let’s understand why reference checks are crucial for the hiring process. Firstly, reference checks provide an opportunity to verify the information presented by the candidate. It helps ensure that the candidate has been honest about their skills and experience. Secondly, they provide a reference’s perspective on the candidate’s performance, work ethic, and character. This information can be crucial in choosing the best fit for your company culture. Lastly, reference checks can help identify any potential red flags that might have been missed during the interviews.
Choosing the right people as references
The success of a reference check depends significantly on the person providing the reference. While candidates usually provide a list of people who will speak highly of them, it’s essential to dig deeper and choose the right references. Firstly, make sure the references provided are relevant to the role and have worked closely with the candidate. This will ensure that the reference can provide valuable insights into the candidate’s performance. Secondly, it’s important to choose references from different stages of the candidate’s career to get a well-rounded view of their work experience. And lastly, make sure to check with the candidate if it’s okay to contact the references provided.
Preparing your contacts for success
Give your references a heads up
Before you reach out to the references, it’s crucial to give them a heads up. This will give them time to prepare and ensure that they are free to provide the reference. Be transparent about the role the candidate has applied for and provide them with a copy of the job description to give them an idea of the skills and experience required. Also, make sure to ask if there’s anything specific they would like to highlight about the candidate. This will help them focus on the areas that are relevant to the role.
Provide a format or a list of questions
To ensure a structured reference check, provide your references with a format or a list of questions to answer. This will ensure that you get the information you need and avoid any generic answers. It’s also a good idea to ask open-ended questions that allow the references to provide detailed answers.
Explain the importance of honesty
One of the main reasons reference checks fail to provide the desired results is because references tend to be overly positive and avoid mentioning any negative points. As the employer, it’s essential to explain the importance of honesty. Let them know that you are looking for a well-rounded view of the candidate, and any constructive criticism is valuable. This will help you get a more accurate picture of the candidate and avoid any surprises down the line.
Respect their time and provide feedback
Lastly, it’s essential to respect your references’ time and keep the process efficient. Set a time limit for the call and stick to it. Also, remember to thank them for their time after the reference check is done. And once the hiring process is complete, provide your references with feedback. Let them know if the candidate was successful or if you decided to go with someone else. This will ensure a positive experience for your references and encourage them to provide references in the future.
In conclusion
Effective reference checks can make a significant difference in the hiring process. By choosing the right people as references and providing them with the necessary information and tools, you can ensure that you get valuable insights into the candidate and make informed hiring decisions. So don’t overlook the reference check process and follow these strategies to make it a success.
