How to Check Employee References

Checking references is essential because job-search pressures may generate misinformation.

Checking the employment and personal references of a prospective employee is essential to the hiring process because applicants may misrepresent their credentials and accomplishments. The process, while time-consuming and tedious, allows a company to hire employees who perform better and often stay at the company longer, according to the Human Resources Department at the University of Texas at Austin. Regardless of your hunches about a person -- whether good or bad -- always check references.

Instructions

1. Include a release section on the application that allows you to contact applicants' past employers. Most applicants will sign this before turning in the application. An applicant has the right to choose whether or not you may contact past employers, and this section protects you from violating this right.

2. Tell the prospective employee that you're going to check his references, giving him respectful warning before calling past supervisors. While this isn't required, it's a courtesy to someone who might eventually become an employee.

3. Review the employment information of the prospective employee and make a list of questions for both personal and professional references. These questions should pertain to the applicant's integrity, depth of relationship with the reference, roles and titles. Questions also should address overall performance, examples of high performance and effective teamwork, and whether the job candidate would be rehired or recommended to another employer.

4. Call references, tell them who you are and why you're calling. Ask if they feel comfortable discussing the employment of, or their relationship to, the applicant. Speak clearly and professionally, using a script, if necessary.

5. Work your way through the list of questions, taking notes and asking follow-up questions you might have along the way. Keep the conversation short -- no more than 10 or 15 minutes.

6. End the conversation when the employer, or reference, is finished answering the questions. Respectfully thank her before hanging up the phone. Repeat these steps for each reference on the application or resume.

Tips & Warnings

• Reserve your reference checks for only the top applicants. If you can't envision hiring someone, don't waste time checking his references.

References

• University of Texas at Austin: Check References
• The Job Stores: Interviewing and Hiring