The process of checking references has been a part of human resources and hiring for decades. However, in recent years it has changed significantly with the introduction of technologies and services which make reference checking easier, faster, and more accurate than ever before. Read on to learn more about how Reference checks work.
What is Reference Checking?
Reference checks are one of the most crucial parts of the hiring process. An erroneous hiring decision can cost a company large sums of money and tarnish its reputation for years after.
Having an efficient reference check system will ensure that all your candidates are suitable before you make an offer. Reference checks include finding out if they have any gaps in their employment history and checking what their previous employers say about them.
The need for reference check services
Companies have a lot of money tied up in their employees, and they need to ensure that the people they hire will be good at their jobs. If someone has been hired based on their resume and interview skills, then a background check and reference check service providers need to verify those claims. They ensure that potential hires are qualified for the position so that your company does not waste time or resources training someone incapable of doing it well.
What is the difference between a Criminal Check and a Reference Check?
Criminal checks are used to verify an applicant’s criminal history. These checks include fingerprints, court records, arrest records, and sex offender registry searches. If you have any questions about your employee’s background or why they might have been fired from their last job, this can help you know where they came from in their work environment.
On the other hand, one should ask for references before hiring someone because it is one of the best ways to determine if they are right for your position and company culture. References should be consistent with what was provided on their resume or application form. Their former employers should also explain how long they worked there and some examples of projects/work products delivered during that period (this lets you know how well they fit into your organization’s goals).
The Process
The process of reference checking is very simple and easy to follow. There are no complications in the process, and it is a step-by-step approach. The HR solution company will provide a systematic approach to finding the right candidate for your organization. They consider all factors that might influence an employee’s job performance, such as age, experience, education and skillset, etc., before recommending a suitable candidate for your openings at the workplace.
The pre-screening process
The pre-screening process is a way to identify candidates who are most likely to be a good fit for your company. The pre-screening process involves the reference check service contacting the candidate’s references before you do. This allows you to focus on the candidates who have been identified as good fits and eliminate those who aren’t right for your organization, saving time and resources.
The background check and verification process
Once you have hired an employee, you will want to ensure that their credentials are accurate. This is the first step in verifying your new employee’s employment history. If there are inaccuracies in the information provided on their job application and resume, this can lead to problems down the road if they are not corrected before becoming part of your organization. References must be checked as well; otherwise, any problems with an employee may not be discovered until too late or when it becomes too costly for your company.
