Does your firm urgently need someone to fill in a position? Have you found a new employee you can’t wait to get on board so that your clients can be made happy? Well, you need to pause, take a deep breath and remind yourself that as urgent as it is to fill in an important position for your business, it is even more important to conduct a reference check to make sure you have found the right person for the job.
While some employers think it unimportant to verify the authenticity of the facts provided by their new employee, an effective reference check is important for various reasons. Including those are:
- Gain in-depth information of the strengths and weaknesses of the new employee.
- Learn about the work habits of the new employee from an ex colleague or employer.
- Verify the new employee’s employment history as stated.
- Verify the authenticity of the information provided during the interview.
An effective reference check allows employers to obtain an evaluation of the candidate in question from past employers. Employers may also ask behavioral interview questions during the interview to obtain objective information. Further verification only serves to prove that you have found the right person to boost your business goals and works as an asset and not a liability for the company.
Here are some key steps to follow when conducting a reference check on a candidate:
Ask the person for work references. Your main goal is to gain feedback from people who has previously worked with and managed the candidate to vouch for their potential.
Prepare a set of questions when you contact the references. Some common questions to ask are confirmation of employment history given, validation of the skills set and potentials, familiarity with quality of work, comments on work performance and so on.
Schedule a phone meeting no longer than fifteen minutes to conduct the reference check.