Of course, there are some do’s and don’ts for both the creation and utilization of your references. Lindsay Olson’s article, “10 Common (and Corrosive) Job Reference Mistakes” provides key considerations. Olson suggests aiming to compile of list of three to five people. After identifying those whom you’d like in that role, consider the following guidelines.
Question: Our company is about to hire a new COO who will manage the whole finance department. We want to be very sure she has strong interpersonal and technical skills. We have spoken to all of her listed references, and, while they have been off the charts, I want to be absolutely certain we cover our basis. What do you suggest?
Q: I have a feeling one of my references is not giving me a good evaluation. In my last set of interviews, the prospective employer seemed very enthusiastic about hiring me. But, after conducting reference checks, he refused to return my phone calls. What can I do to correct this? Is there any strategy for making a bad reference good?
I am part of the senior leadership team at a national not-for-profit. We are hiring a new executive director, and I was asked to review references for the two finalists. Most of the references were superb. However, there was a reference for one of the candidates (“Candidate One”) was absolutely scathing. It seemed so out of line with what the other references shared that I am inclined to disregard it. What do you suggest?
This series covered all aspects of the reference process. Part One covered working with references as they relate to the candidate. Part Two focused on engaging with the references themselves, and Part Three put the ideas into practice through the reference check process. In this series conclusion, the highlight is on identifying what “a great reference” really means.
In parts One and Two of this four-part series, I outlined the “homework” required in order to best prepare yourself, a candidate and a reference for a formal reference interview. In this entry, details of the actual process, from questions to ask to delivering the results, are outlined.
In Part One of this series, I outlined the homework I do with regard to references before placing the formal reference checking call as it relates to the candidate. Today, that homework process continues to unfold with a focus on the references.
Many organizations are familiar with using references in the final phases of search to support or eliminate one winning candidate. References can serve equally critical functions, however, beyond giving you data about your proposed “winner.” In this four-part series, the pieces of the referencing process are outlined and defined so you can be best prepared no matter your role.