Performing Reference Checks More Effectively

Doing reference checks means getting information. Typically, this information is gathered over the phone, and it involves someone who already knows the applicant. This means they may or may not be quite as willing as you hoped to offer up any information that might be construed as negative.

The first step of getting that information is learning how to ask questions that require thoughtful answers. If your questions can be answered with one word, then you need to rewrite them. Open ended, thoughtful questions are really the angle you want. When a person begins expressing their thoughts in sentences and details they tend to relax much faster and open up more.

Phrasing the questions so that there is no indication of the proper response is a challenge, but one that can be very helpful. When this is too challenging try flipping the question to make the negative seem like the positive. If you want to know how much time the applicant will put into a job you should ask questions regarding coming and leaving on time. If the applicant came in early and left late, you will be most likely be told.

Once you have put the question in play, it is time for you to be quiet. Allowing people to talk for as long as they can about the topic will give you plenty of opportunities to hear things that could be red flags. Since most people have no idea what you want to hear once they are on the phone with you, honesty is much more likely to surface.

Be very careful about how you respond to the answers. Gasps, chuckles, or phrases like "I see" will only let the individual know that they are damaging the potential for the applicant. This can lead directly to fabrication of details or the omission of very important information.

In order to accomplish this you simply want to keep your answers down to one word. Single syllable words are even better. Without giving any indication with your tone as to how the applicant is doing, try using words such as "okay" when the reference has finished speaking. By keeping your tone flat and uninvested the person on the other end will not be able to figure out whether they are saying the right things or the wrong things.

There will most likely be things that are said that require you to ask for elaboration. There is no need to quantify whether or not it is good or bad. Write down the statements that might need to be explored a little bit more. Of course, if it is explained later in the answer, remember to cross it off. There is no need to give any indication regarding reason that you wish to have greater detail.

The more you allow people to talk and open up the easier it is to do reference checks. When you give most people enough latitude they will usually give you much more information than you asked for. Of course, then it is up to you to determine what it is that you will do with the knowledge you found.