Reference checking

All parties are on their best behaviour during an interview – this can sometimes lead to false impressions. Reference checking is absolutely critical to validate the information you have been given during an interview and to understand how the applicant has behaved in the past. Past behaviour is the best predictor of future performance – a leopard does not change their spots.

The key to the reference checking process is to assess the fit of the person against the selection criteria defined in the person specification. A standard questionnaire can help you to do this.

Because both written and verbal references can be falsified, it is important to get more than one reference. A written referee should never be taken at face value – it must be verified with a phone call to the person who wrote it. Being prepared to ask some detailed questions about the person’s role will help to tell when you are being lied to during a verbal reference  – a standard questionnaire can help with this.

Once again, remember that you can only contact nominated referees.

• Make it easier: Example: Reference checking questionnaire  View PDF (59kb)