How to Hire a Reference Checking Company

Enlist a reference checking company to expedite workflow in your organization. A competitive marketplace, coupled with heightened security measures, means more and more companies are utilizing verification services. Reference checking companies specialize in gathering past employment records and interviewing references.

Instructions

1. Hire a reference checking company to assist you in screening candidates. Evaluate what services they offer and choose a company that will give you an estimate and consultation. Learn about their information gathering techniques such as reference verification, who they contact and what the turnaround time is.

2. Ask about the fees associated with the reference check. This will depend on the intensity of the background check. If your company deals with security or government issues, the reference check is a more complex process and involves more than simply dates of hire, past job descriptions and reasons for leaving a company.

3. Review a potential company's interviewing skills. In many cases, a referral agency has a pre-set line of questioning. Lean toward one that tailors questions to each profession, in addition to basic workplace information. This might include questions about the applicant's interpersonal communication skills, job strengths and accomplishments, technical skills and work ethic.

4. Go with a company that has a proven track record. Ask how they gather information from non-responsive agencies and wade through policy issues. Most companies just want to give standard information. However, a good reference checker will dig for a substantive testimonial.

5. Request an agency that will evaluate the references for you. A proficient agency will point out red flags, like generic letters of recommendation, and will be adept at verifying sketchy information or gaps in employment.

6. Sign a limited month contract to get a feel for how an agency performs. After the first month, you can review the references they have collected to see if you want to renew the terms of the service agreement for additional checks.

Tips & Warnings

• Many Human Resources divisions recruit a company to assist with background gathering. This typically occurs if a department is overwhelmed during a busy hiring period or has an ongoing need for assistance.

• Reference checking companies are useful to organizations that have many locations or divisions. Keeping the reference checks centralized will help a company follow proper procedures in an organized way.

• If you want your company's identity hidden during the screening process, confirm your reference service's confidentiality policy.

• Ask for a client referral or investigate a reference checking company's history with the Better Business Bureau.