What do references get asked

Why put so much time and energy into the interview process and then skip this crucial step? Want an easy way to weed out candidates with poor references or problems to hide? Be upfront about the reference check and you may find that your candidate list shrinks itself. The people that you do interview will tend to be more accurate and honest during the interview process. Add this tip to your reference best practices. We are all busy and it may not seem like a big deal to delegate previous employer reference checks to HR, but it could be a huge mistake.

Only you know exactly what you are looking for in an employee and no one else will ask the same questions in quite the way you would. Something you would have missed had someone else been conducting the professional reference check.

If one reference is great and you get a mixed review on the other one it is best to get a third reference before making a final decision for the complete picture. Pick up the phone when conducting a reference check about previous work experience.

You miss out on tone and inflection when using email and can easily misinterpret content. You also may miss out on warning signs as only a phone conversation will reveal.

Always pay attention to your wording. Make sure the employment dates listed on the resume are the correct dates when you verify them with the manager. We often talk to candidates who say they worked at their last company for 2 years when it was only 2 months. In performing your due diligence this is yet another sort of reference check. Checking any public Facebook posts and Twitter feeds, can show revealing information about the candidate. Also, check out their LinkedIn profile to look for resume discrepancies and recommendations.

You can also check to see if they share any professional contacts as these may provide more references for you to check. You might learn the hard way that a few phone calls could make all the difference in selecting the right employee for your position. Hopefully, this reference check guide can help. Did I say something wrong? Reference checks give recruiters the chance to speak with your former manager or co-workers in order to learn more about your work history, performance, and professionalism.

So how do they go about this? Jenny Foss, a career strategist and recruiter based in Portland, Oregon, explains that, when conducting a reference check, her agency uses a checklist that asks the reference to rank each specific skill and strength they call out, with an explanation for their rating.

In other words, have you been lying to them? According to Carlie Smith, director of talent management at Circle, a crypto finance company in Boston, conducting a reference call also provides an opportunity for recruiters to ask questions about a red flag or concern that has arisen during the hiring process.

If your reference gives you a bad recommendation, this could impact your chances, which is why Foss advises you to always touch base with your professional references before having a potential employer contact them. Whom you list as a reference matters. If you provide this type of reference, Smith says recruiters will ask the following types of questions: How would this person best be managed? Not only will a strong resume impress hiring managers, it'll also show your potential references what you've accomplished so far in your career.

Need some help making sure you're giving them something to talk about? G et a free resume evaluation today from the experts at Monster's Resume Writing Service.

You'll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review of your resume's appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiter's first impression. It's a quick and easy way to avoid the little mistakes that can have a big impact. Thank you! You are now a Monster member—and you'll receive more content in your inbox soon.

By continuing, you agree to Monster's privacy policy , terms of use and use of cookies. When choosing someone to write this letter, consider a person who can attest to your positive traits and knows you well. Examples of people who may make a good character reference include:.

Hiring managers will ask a variety of questions to gather a complete understanding of your work history and how it relates to the potential role. They may inquire about:. One basic but critical purpose of reference checks is to confirm that your provided information is accurate. The standard questions you should expect potential employers to ask your references include:. These questions establish your relationship and can set the tone for the remainder of the reference check.

In addition to confirming details that you provided during the hiring process, reference checks also allow hiring managers to learn more about your performance at previous jobs.

The answers to these questions can help hiring managers assess if they are willing to learn new skills and are interested in career growth. Your references can identify the challenges you experienced and how you overcame them. If your references review the job description, they can respond with strengths that relate to the role.

They can also answer with their perspective of your best assets. This information can streamline the onboarding process and build a better relationship between you and your future manager. Reference checks can play a vital role in the interview process. Potential employers use them not only to verify your employment history but also to gain information on how you function as a coworker and employee.