What Is Reference Checking In Selection Process?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Reference checking is

an objective evaluation of an 's past job performance based on information collected from

key individuals (e.g., supervisors, peers, subordinates) who have known and worked with the applicant.

What does reference checking mean?

A reference check is

part of the hiring process

where your candidate (or applicant) connects the hiring company with professional (and sometimes personal) job references to gather more details about themselves: their work history, job responsibilities and performance.

What is the purpose of a reference check?

The importance of reference checks is that the references you contact, about different scenarios, can give

you a great indication about the person you are interviewing or considering for a loan

, and the references can help you determine if they are the best candidate or not.

What does reference check include?

Most employers check references as part of the hiring process. Checking references involves contacting previous employers, supervisors, schools, and so forth to

verify key employment and educational information

and learn more about a candidate's background, experiences, and skills.

Why is reference check considered as an important process during selection?

Reference checks allow

a recruiter to get independent insight about a candidate's previous on-the-job performance

. It verifies the information provided by the candidate on their resume and during the interview. You can also use this information to sell your candidate to your client.

Can you get rejected after reference check?


You can be denied for a job for a variety of reasons

, including after your references have been verified. It's possible, for example, that one or more of your references didn't work out. He or she may have more experience with the job and/or something connected to it than you have.

Does reference check mean job offer?

Many people ask what it means if an employer does a reference check after-interview for job-seekers, and the simple answer is

that they are interested in you

. However, it does not necessarily mean anything more than that, so don't start to get your hopes up too much, too soon.

What happens after reference check?

Typically you only

get a job offer

after reference check, they need to confirm the experience and references you provided in you resume. … Barring any negative reference checks, you should feel quite confident that you'll be landing the job shortly after confirming your references.

How long do reference checks take?

Tenant referencing should take

no more than 48 hours

, once the tenant referencing agency has received the necessary permissions and documents to come back. However, there are instances when the process can be delayed which we will go into detail below. To find out how tenant referencing works click here.

Do reference checks matter?

Employers want to make sure they are hiring the right person for the job; but some thwart the process because checking references can be labor-intensive. … While the definitive answer to any of these questions depends on the employer, overall,

yes, references do still matter.

Do employers call all three references?

Most employers will call your references only if you are the final candidate or one of the final two.

Occasionally the final three or four

. Every now and then an employer will check all the people they interview, although to me that's inconsiderate of the reference.

What questions do references get asked?

  • “Can you confirm the start and end dates of the candidate's employment at your company?”
  • “What was the candidate's job title? Can you briefly explain some of their responsibilities in the role?”
  • “How do you know the candidate?”

Can I fake a reference?


Fake references are illegal

– if you're caught. Directly lying is incredibly unethical, and if caught, you could be fired or face legal trouble. Companies rarely sue for lying, but the people you named on your reference list have every right to.

What is the most common type of selection procedure?


Interviews

.

Structured interviews

are the most effective type of interview. The interview process is formed through identification of the key requirements of the job and a list of questions is drawn up. A panel of interviewers works through each set of questions with each candidate and scores them on their answers.

What is the first step of selection process?

The first aspect to selection is

planning the interview process

, which includes criteria development. Criteria development means determining which sources of information will be used and how those sources will be scored during the interview.

Who should do reference checks?

Ask the candidate for a minimum of three professional references with all relevant contact information. Ideally, the references are

the candidate's former supervisors or worked with them in a supervisory role

.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.