What are reference checks?

Reference checks are a part of the hiring process where employers reach out to individuals who have worked closely with a candidate in the past. 

Why check references? 
These checks help to confirm the information on the candidate’s application. It is also to gain greater insights into the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities from someone who has actually observed the candidate perform.

Focus your questions on the items/skills/capabilities that you want to confirm (because they are crucial to the role) or contradict (because you have concerns)

How to select references? 

• Always ask for permission from the candidate, preferably asking to be introduced
• Give the candidate a briefing on what kind of references you would like to check:
  • e.g. supervisor,  stakeholder, customer - with a working relationship of at least 1 year
  • The more recent the better - if not possible from the current employer (because they don’t know that the person is leaving), then the previous employer
  • Have in mind the items/skills/capabilities to check and think about what previous working experience most probably can reflect best on this; don’t tell the candidate that you are looking for these items to check, but you can ask for working relationships from these specific previous working relationships

How to conduct a reference call?

• Invite the reference for a video call of 15-30 minutes, to show that we take the reference serious
• All calls should be conducted by the hiring manager to make a good overview and comparison between what all references tell.
• Agenda
  • Introduce yourself, and your position at Uberall and tell them you are calling about a reference for a candidate you are considering
  • Make sure that all responses will remain confidential
  • Give a brief description of the role you are considering the applicant for, so that they can comment in context
  • Give them time to answer your questions. Let them respond, and do not put words in their mouth
  • While it is important to tailor reference check questions to Uberall, the job, and the applicant being considered, the following are some common examples of questions that can be asked:
    • In what role were you associated with the applicant, and since what date and for what time period?
    • In what role was the applicant employed, and what were the job responsibilities?
    • What value did the applicant bring to the team/organization?
    • What was it like to supervise/work together/report to the applicant?
    • What unique skill did the candidate bring to your organization?
    • What were the strengths? What were the areas that needed improvement?
    • Considering the job being applied for, do you think the applicant is suitable and why?
    • Why did the person leave your organization?
    • Would you advise your current organization to hire the candidate; why or why not?
    • Is there anything else you would like to add?