The Effective Hiring Manager

21How to Check References

Before we make an offer, we have to check references. We are amazed at managers who don’t do this. And you have to get as much information as you can, in a world where many companies limit their disclosures. Here’s how.

We check references between “I’m ready to make an offer” and “I will make an offer to this candidate.” When we check references, we are essentially saying, “I’ve decided, and now I’m going to do one last check to make sure I haven’t missed anything.” The chances are slim that there will be anything there, but no sense in not spending an hour or two just to eliminate any later regrets. Plus, if everyone learns that we always check references, that reduces our future candidate risks.

We don’t check references to find out why we want to hire someone. We check references to make sure there aren’t concerns we haven’t uncovered ourselves.

1. Start with an Admission and Factual Questions

Over the past 20 years, companies have grown less and less willing to be open with those checking references. This is absolutely an overreaction to defamation lawsuits of 25 years ago, and a trickle down of executive employment contract law.

If you’ve heard that “companies don’t give references anymore,” that’s true, sort of. If you ask someone official at a firm, particularly in HR, there’s a fair chance you’ll get someone who spouts the company line at you. “We don’t give references.” This is simply lawsuit avoidance . . . though when was the last time ...