How Professional Reference Check is More than just Formality?

Job seekers can now submit their resumes to employers more conveniently than before. While in the past, one would have had to visit the office in person to apply; that’s not the case anymore. These days, they can apply online and potential employers review their resumes. 

Although the process of filtering prospective applicants may be easier, getting to know them without meeting them is more challenging. Therefore, conducting a professional reference check is crucial to avoid interviewing people who aren’t qualified for the position.

Why a professional reference check is important?

Reports conducted by several research services report that a portion of applicants embellishes or lie about their qualifications.  Therefore, employers must conduct employee reference checks for the following reasons: 

• This can include fabrication details about their pre-employment phase, place of residence, and academic qualifications.
• It is prevalent among some candidates to leave out facts about their criminal pasts. An employment reference check can reveal aggressive and offensive behavior even if the previous employers did not report them to the authorities.
• A professional reference check would provide information about the candidate’s conduct and how they functioned in a team. In addition, this will also confirm if the candidate was actually hired by all of the companies listed in their resume.
• A reference check may reveal that the candidate was fired for unsavory reasons by a previous employer.
• Although a candidate could be qualified and have the skills the position demands, it’s a better option to reject them if they have been rightfully accused of using those skills to steal confidential data.
• Additionally, an employee reference will substantiate the claims that a candidate is qualified enough to perform the tasks that the position requires.

How to conduct professional reference checks?

Before writing an offer letter, talent managers or recruiters generally review the references of prospective employees. In addition to conducting a reference check, they will also verify the candidate’s behavior while they were employed and their employment history. However, the most important part of conducting a check is asking for the candidate’s consent. They then proceed with the below procedure:

• The hiring manager or recruiter may contact the HR of the previous employer. They do so to gather accurate and unbiased information on the candidate’s employment history and conduct. 
• After fixing a meeting, they inquire about several aspects of employment including how long the candidate worked and what they struggled with. 
• Furthermore, they may ask the candidate how they collaborated with their team and if they received complaints from any departments or clients.
• Lastly, they end the meeting by asking about any achievements of the candidate and if they are qualified enough to fit in the new role. 

Conclusion

Hiring managers must perform employee reference checks to ensure that they hire the right candidate for the role. They contact the candidate’s college or past employers to verify the details mentioned in their resume.