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Reference Check

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In modern workplaces, the outcome of a reference check can follow two potential paths: It can validate the candidate claimed exceptional skills and experience, or it might reveal unsatisfactory aspects.

In order to effectively navigate falsehoods and overstatements, while identifying sincere and capable applicants, integrating employee reference checks into your candidate evaluation procedure is essential. Presented here is our comprehensive manual on conducting this process swiftly, smoothly, and without undue hassle.

What is a reference check?


A reference check involves the hiring manager, employer, or recruiter reaching out to the candidate previous place of work to gather additional insights into the candidate abilities and performance. The objective of conducting a reference check is to verify whether the candidate possesses the necessary qualifications for the specific role the employer is aiming to occupy.

What should happen during a reference check?


While conducting a reference check, the hiring manager will validate the details provided by the candidate in their CV. Additionally, they might delve further into the employer interaction with the candidate by inquiring about the candidates.

What step is a reference check to process application?


Performing a reference check frequently serves as the concluding stage that a hiring manager or recruiter undertakes prior to extending a job offer to a candidate. Furthermore, they might carry out a background check and an employment history verification, topics we will discuss subsequently.

Difference between reference check and background check


Reference checks and background checks are closely intertwined components of the hiring process. While a reference check involves a conversational inquiry into a candidates previous job performance, a background check primarily focuses on gathering factual information.

The scope of a background check may vary based on factors such as the employee, employer, and job requirements. It could encompass:

•  Identity verification
•  Employment history check (job title, workplace, duration, salary)
•  Education verification
•  Criminal record check
•  Credit check
•  Social media screening
•  Drug and alcohol testing

What is the best way to run reference check?


First and foremost, obtain consent from the candidate before reaching out to their previous employers. Ideally, you would acquire a reference from the candidates most recent employer, although circumstances may not always align for that.

If the candidate is currently employed, they might not have disclosed their plans to leave the company to their current employer. Its essential to avoid putting the candidate in an awkward situation at their present workplace, especially if their departure is imminent.

In such instances, consider contacting a different former employer, educator, or reference source.

Engage those who are part of the interview and hiring process to gather insights into any questions or concerns they might have regarding the candidate. Ensure that everyone is at ease with and has confidence in the prospective hire, facilitating a smooth transition.

Compile your set of questions before commencing the reference checks. Tailor these inquiries to the candidate, the role they are being considered for, and any queries that arose during the interview stages. Pose specific and open-ended questions that discourage vague responses.

When To Check References During Your Applicant Screening Process


Verifying a candidate references typically occurs as one of the final stages before extending a job offer. However, prior to reaching this point, you will probably need to navigate through a multitude of job applications.

Lets delve into the process of screening applicants and where reference checks come into play:

Applicant Pre Screening


After posting your job advertisement, the influx of applications begins. Now comes the phase of pre-screening. During this stage, your aim is to filter out applicants who lack the fundamental qualifications essential for excelling in the position, such as educational background or industry experience.

Upon concluding the pre-screening process, you will be left with a more robust pool of candidates to consider.

Phone Interviews


Phone conversations serve as a convenient and budget-friendly method to refine the selection of suitable candidates. Moreover, they enable employers to gauge a candidates manner of communication, their comedic inclination, adeptness in attentive listening, and other attributes. Primarily, phone interviews come into play when deliberating the candidates educational background, professional history, and outlook concerning job roles, seniority, and remuneration. This process guarantees alignment between the candidate and the employer.

Pre-Employment Testing


Once you have selected your candidate, you might consider assessing their competencies and expertise. While pre-employment check is not suitable for every position or sector, if feasible, it stands as a valuable approach to preview the candidates on-the-job performance before finalizing the hiring decision.

Background And Employment Check


By this point, you should have one or two candidates who align closely with the ideal profile. To ensure a successful initial hiring, its prudent to conduct a comprehensive background check. This process involves validating their identity, confirming the accuracy of their educational background, and verifying other particulars as discussed earlier in this document. Simultaneously, its also opportune to initiate an employment background verification, substantiating their prior job designations, previous employers, and other pertinent details.

Reference Checks


After establishing the candidates identity and validating their claimed experience and background, the next step involves verifying their references.
Begin by requesting a list of references from the candidate, ensuring you have obtained their permission to contact these individuals. Proceed to reach out to one to three of these references, seeking their perspectives on the candidate.

Incorporating reference checks into your hiring procedure empowers you to corroborate the candidates qualifications, address any uncertainties regarding their work history, and ideally, instill the necessary assurance to proceed with the hiring decision confidently, free from any lingering doubts.

Final thoughts


Elevate your hiring process with the reliability of 4SL Background Check for top-tier employee reference check services. Gain unmatched insights into your candidates, ensuring the right fit for your team. Make confident decisions today!
31-Aug-2023
4SL TEAM
57
4sl
Reference checks are commonly carried out towards the final stages of the recruitment process. Their purpose is to gather valuable insights about a particular candidate by seeking feedback from their current and former co-workers. The feedback is usually obtained through phone calls or emails, where the references are asked a series of questions pertaining to the applicants performance and character. This crucial step aids in making well-informed hiring decisions and gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the candidates suitability for the role.

The reference checking process follows a straightforward approach. The candidate furnishes a list of individuals, including current and former co-workers, managers, and professors, who possess firsthand knowledge of their workplace skills and attributes. Your task, as the employer, is to use the provided contact information to reach out to each reference. During this interaction, you will pose a series of questions, such as evaluating the candidates ability to work effectively in a team setting. This systematic procedure ensures a comprehensive assessment of the candidates qualifications and compatibility for the position.

Why reference checks are important in background checking?

There are several reasons for conducting reference checks that included :

Get relevant information :

References serve as one of the most valuable sources for obtaining work-related information about the applicant. In many cases, they might be the sole source, aside from the candidate, who can provide first hand insights into the applicants workplace performance and on-the-job skills. Relying on references ensures a more well-rounded and informed evaluation of the candidates suitability for the role.

Determine fit for job :

As a hiring manager or HR professional, you are well aware that possessing the right skill set is just one aspect to contemplate while choosing the ideal candidate. Alongside job fit, you also seek a candidate who aligns well with the bosss management style and fits seamlessly into the company culture. Considering these additional factors ensures a more comprehensive and successful hiring decision.

Verify applicants’ detailed information :

Reference checking offers a crucial advantage by enabling you to validate the information presented on the applicants resume and job application. When conducting reference checks, dont hesitate to request verification of specific details, such as job title, responsibilities, workplace duties, training, and skill sets from the references. In reality, current and former co-workers often serve as the most reliable individuals to assess the candidates skills and abilities accurately. Their insights contribute significantly to making well-informed hiring decisions.

Identify red flags :

Reference checks offer an additional advantage by alerting you to potential issues with the candidate. For instance, if the references responses do not align with the information provided on the applicants resume and job application, it could indicate that the candidate may have exaggerated or embellished certain skills and experiences. Being mindful of such discrepancies during reference checks helps in identifying possible misrepresentations and ensures a more accurate assessment of the candidates qualifications and integrity.
24-Jul-2023
4SL TEAM
2
4sl
In India, many companies prioritize quick hiring over thorough background checks due to tight timelines and cost-cutting measures. Low-ranking Admin or HR employees often conduct reference and employment checks by contacting the candidates previous employer based on oral information provided by the candidate. Feedback is received orally, and minimal notes are scribbled on the resume to complete the checks. Surprisingly, 90% of organized sector companies perform basic background checks, while a staggering 95% of unorganized sector companies hire without any background checks. However, industries like IT, ITES, BFSI, and FMCG recognize the importance of employee background screening and invest significantly in it. IT companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro have a zero-tolerance policy towards deceptive employees, taking strict disciplinary actions, including termination and blacklisting. Employment discrepancy is a significant portion of the overall discrepancy in companies conducting background screening.
17-Jun-2023
MANISH KHAN