Is Checking References Worth the Effort?

Q. Is checking a candidate’s references worth the effort since most companies won’t give references anyway?

I conduct references for every candidate I represent for one of our searches. I believe this is part of the due diligence process prior to hiring someone. Top talent have references and can always provide someone either currently in the company or that has left the company. I discovered long ago that CEO’s violate their own policy on references for top performers. They will never do it for anyone else.

It is important to inform the candidate at the beginning of the hiring process that references will be required. Too often companies wait until the end of the process before asking for references. Letting the candidate know that this is not a request, but a requirement up front is critical to getting proper references.

The common belief is that candidates will only give references that they know will say positive things. That isn’t always true. Often it’s not what the reference says, but how they say it that counts.

In our search practice it is our policy that if a candidate can only provide references that will only provide name, rank and serial number that is code for walk away. Top talent have references.

To download the free chapter on Conducting an Effective Phone Interview from our book “This Is NOT The Position I Accepted” CLICK HERE and then click on the Free Search Resources link.

How effective is your job search?  If you are not sure, download our free 8 Matrix Job Search Self-Assessment Scorecard. CLICK HERE and then click on the Free Search Resources link.

I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Brad Remillard

Don’t Assume You Will Get A Good Reference

Time and time again candidates assume when a person tells them they will be a reference, it means a good reference. Not true. In a recent poll 54% said they were given a reference and it turned out bad. This busts the theory that people will only give references they “KNOW” will give them a good reference.
This radio show explores who your references should be, what is expected for a GREAT reference and how to properly prepare you reference.
You should never fall in the 54% again. A GREAT reference can be the tipping point for you to get the position versus someone else that gets either bad or just a good reference.

If you want to listen to this recording or to download it CLICK HERE.

Know Your References Well. It Isn’t What They Say, It’s How They Say It.

We often do one-on-one job search coaching with candidates. This is a three month program where we cover all aspects of a person’s search, and work weekly to ensure that everything is being done to expedite their search. We cover issues that might arise before they arise, discuss areas of conflict, develop a marketing plan, perform interviews, review resumes and tough interview questions, compensation negotiations and check references. It is very comprehensive, and often hidden issues that would keep the candidate from getting an interview or job are discovered and addressed before they become an issue. Too often the candidate never finds out why they didn’t get an interview or offer, when a little up front work would have solved the problem before it became a problem.

As part of this coaching, the candidate develops a complete set of references. The candidate always assures us that the reference has told them “They would give me a good reference.” A CEO I was working with had a board member as one of their references. I called to talk with this reference and make sure that all was well. It didn’t take long to realize that the reference, although not bad, was only average to barely passing. This is not something the candidate would want a company to hear. We went back to candidate and asked to talk to the other board members (at least two). They both had great things to say, and in fact, one was going to recommend the candidate for another position. It turned out the first person had a grudge to bear against the CEO. These two board members then became the references. Had we not done this, the candidate would have never found out why he didn’t get a particular position.

I don’t believe we were deceiving the company in any way. They asked for one board member and instead we offered two. We did not prep the references in any way. All we did was try and get the real picture of the CEO’s abilities without bias or from a person with a grudge.

This is just one of many very easy things to deal with before they become a problem. Do you pre-qualify your references before you give them out? You should.

When talking to a reference it isn’t always what they say, but how they say it that counts.

You can learn a lot more about references and the complete job search process in our job search workbook, “This is NOT The Position I Accepted.” We will send you the book to review for only the $5 cost of shipping. It will reduce the time you spend in search. CLICK HERE to review the books contents.

Join our Linkedin Job Search Networking group. The news articles, connections, networking, and discussions are a great resource for anyone looking for a position. CLICK HERE to join.

Get your Linkedin Profile Self-Assessment for Free on our Web site and make sure your profile is the best it can be. Go to http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com and scroll down to the WHAT’S NEW section and click the link.

We encourage your comments and feedback.

Brad Remillard