{"id":7901,"date":"2018-01-20T10:38:50","date_gmt":"2018-01-20T15:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/?p=7901"},"modified":"2019-09-22T17:02:44","modified_gmt":"2019-09-22T21:02:44","slug":"reference-check-relevance-qa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/reference-check-relevance-qa\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&#038;A with Dr. Helen \u2013 What You Need to Know About Reference Checks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/freddie-marriage-264214.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-7908 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/freddie-marriage-264214-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"reference checks are now easier because of technology\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/freddie-marriage-264214-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/freddie-marriage-264214-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/freddie-marriage-264214-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/freddie-marriage-264214-1080x720.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Q1. In 2015 you wrote a blog article that asked if <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/are-reference-checks-worthwhile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>the reference check process is still worthwhile<\/strong><\/a><strong>. The short answer was a definite yes.\u00a0 Is this still true 3 years later despite the growing reliance on online job applications and electronic\/social networking?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>A1. <\/strong>In many respects, I believe that a reference from a previous employer is even more important and more relevant than ever <em>because<\/em> so much of the hiring process is online and impersonal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">With screening being done by software and face-to-face job interviews being replaced by video calls to expedite hiring in large organizations, employers are relying on online information from applicants more than ever before. In my opinion, this makes it more likely that important information is overlooked. This mostly digital approach can be problematic for multiple reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/happy-black-guy-taylor-grote-415993-REV.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-7907\" src=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/happy-black-guy-taylor-grote-415993-REV-952x1024.jpg\" alt=\"male job applicant confident that interview and reference check went well\" width=\"376\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/happy-black-guy-taylor-grote-415993-REV-952x1024.jpg 952w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/happy-black-guy-taylor-grote-415993-REV-279x300.jpg 279w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/happy-black-guy-taylor-grote-415993-REV-768x826.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/happy-black-guy-taylor-grote-415993-REV-1080x1162.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 376px) 100vw, 376px\" \/><\/a>Q2.\u00a0 You don\u2019t strike me as old-fashioned or anti-technology. Can you list a few problems associated with this modern approach?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>A2.<\/strong>\u00a0Thank you! I\u2019m often an early adopter and a big proponent of the smart use of technology. When hiring moves (mostly) online, depending on how it\u2019s implemented, many mistakes are possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">For starters, a job applicant can easily exaggerate their previous work roles or overstate their education or professional credentials on an online screening questionnaire. If an employer has appropriate ways to validate and confirm this information, then it\u2019s fine. When, however, the employer has no reliable way to confirm this information, it\u2019s a slippery slope downward.\u00a0 A well-structured reference check (including a background check) is an excellent way to verify and clarify information provided by the most promising job applicants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">It is increasingly <strong>difficult to stand out when <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/job-search-avoid-online-screening-mistakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">applying for a job online<\/a><\/strong>. This is especially true for qualified but humble applicants. So, a solid job reference from a previous employer is a great way for a candidate\u2019s past accomplishments to shine through and help distinguish between candidates who are good self-promoters and candidates who are good workers. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Q3. It appears that most experienced managers\/employers understand the benefits of doing a thorough reference check before hiring a candidate. Do you find job applicants are less enthusiastic about this process? <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>A3.<\/strong>\u00a0On the surface, and to outsiders, it looks as though most managers and employers understand the importance of a reference check. One problem that I see far too often is that they consider the reference check to be a mere formality. It\u2019s a quick phone call that they make so that they can basically \u2018check the box\u2019 that they\u2019ve done a reference check. In my opinion, this is a<strong> missed opportunity to collect and confirm some important information<\/strong> from two or three people who should have a good familiarity with the job applicant\u2019s work ethic, reliability, and abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Employers and hiring managers aren\u2019t the only ones who \u2018go through the motions\u2019 when it comes to reference checks. I\u2019ve heard clients express their frustration, and even anxiety with having to provide additional information after submitting a well-crafted cover letter, a detailed resume, and participating in a preliminary and other \u2018real\u2019 interviews. In most organizations, there are good reasons to consider a potential employee\u2019s past, to confirm their skills, experience, and knowledge \u2013 and also how they apply those skills and knowledge (i.e., their <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/soft-skills-hard-develop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">soft skills<\/a>). The best reference checks prevent the company from hiring someone who is incompetent or a bad fit for the role and the work environment. Depending on the industry, the reference check can also help to protect the business from security breaches (including cybercrimes) caused by <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/insider-threats-common-digital-analog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">insider threats<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">I can appreciate that most job applicants\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">don\u2019t want to jump through unnecessary hoops to land a job. But, for the better jobs, being asked for references should be taken as a sign that the employer knows what they\u2019re doing and doesn\u2019t hire everybody who applies and says some of the right things during an interview.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong class=\"alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/oliur-rahman-123817.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7910 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/oliur-rahman-123817-1024x821.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"482\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/oliur-rahman-123817-1024x821.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/oliur-rahman-123817-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/oliur-rahman-123817-768x615.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/oliur-rahman-123817-1080x865.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px\" \/><\/a>Q4. In your experience, should an applicant provide their work references upfront, (such as attach them to the resume) or should they wait to be asked? Is there any harm in either?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>A4. <\/strong>From what I\u2019ve seen first-hand, going back almost 20 years, references are only checked for the most promising job applicants \u2013 near the end of the hiring process. A decent reference check takes time to complete so it does not make sense to invest the time that\u2019s required to do a thorough one until you\u2019re prepared to make an offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Unless you\u2019re asked for the names and contact information for references upfront, I think it\u2019s better to provide them when you\u2019re asked for them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Q5. Going back to some job applicants feeling hassled or reluctant to provide a reference from a superior, isn\u2019t it possible that they may have a good reason not to? For instance, if their last place of employment was <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/toxic-workplace-should-i-stay-or-go\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">toxic<\/a>? What if their boss was harassing them, or their <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/signs-boss-likes-dislikes-staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">manager just didn\u2019t like them<\/a>? Similarly, what if they don&#8217;t want their current employer to know they are planning to leave?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>A5.<\/strong>\u00a0These are such important questions and the answers aren&#8217;t black and white. Since there\u2019s so much nuance to this question, and potentially so much at stake, I\u2019ve included several clickable links so that you can drill down to get more information that&#8217;s most relevant to your circumstances. When you\u2019ve been made the <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/corporate-scapegoat-how-will-i-get-another-job\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">scapegoat<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/sexual-harassment-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">harassed<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/workplace-bullying-a-hidden-problem\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bullied<\/a> at work, it really won\u2019t feel good to ask the \u2018offender\u2019 to be a good, reliable reference. In many cases, you probably shouldn\u2019t count on an honest (and positive) testimonial of your value as an employee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>If you\u2019re stuck and\/or have questions about who to list as a reference &#8211; or you want to make better use of reference checks when hiring new staff<\/strong>, I invite you to contact me by\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:%20helen@ioadvisory.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">email<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/appointments-career-coaching-counselling-dr-helen-ofosu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free 15-minute phone<\/a>\u00a0consultation, or via direct message on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/drheleno_ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IOAdvisoryServices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/helenofosu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">More than career coaching,\u00a0<em>it\u2019s career psychology\u00ae.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">I\/O Advisory Services<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Building Resilient Careers\u00a0and Organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Easily share this article using any of the social media icons below.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this article, Dr. Helen answers some frequently asked questions about the usefulness of the reference check and its relevance in the modern job search and hiring process. The job applicant and hiring manager\/business owner&#8217;s perspectives are addressed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7907,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,7,304],"tags":[32,317,198,169,174,30],"class_list":["post-7901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-career-advice","category-hiring-staff-hr","tag-career-advice","tag-career-coaching","tag-hiring-staff","tag-human-resources-hr","tag-online-screening","tag-reference-check"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Q&amp;A with Dr. Helen \u2013 What You Need to Know About the Reference Check<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this article, Dr. Helen answers some frequently asked questions about the reference check and its 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