96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire, 3rd Edition

16.

Reference-Checking Scenarios

Senior Management Candidates

How difficult is it to gather critical background data on senior management candidates in the reference-checking process? Well, it’s not as difficult as you’d think, considering that most high-level executives are wise enough to realize that providing reference feedback for a peer is nothing short of career insurance. After all, a quirky twist of fate may have that past supervisor depending on his subordinate for career opportunities in the future.

Combine this with the fact that senior managers don’t get the same drill from human resources departments regarding the legal pitfalls and judicial exposure associated with providing reference feedback (HR’s dictates, after all, won’t always ...