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Also known as: reference call, background check, employment verification

Reference Check

FoundationalOperations

Definition

Reference Check: Reference checks involve contacting a candidate's former colleagues, managers, or reports to verify information and gather additional perspective on their performance and working style. Effective reference checks go beyond verification to uncover growth areas, management preferences, and potential concerns through open-ended questions.

Example Usage

“Our reference checks include one backchannel call—someone we know who worked with the candidate but wasn't provided as a reference.”

Common Misconceptions

References are always positive. Skilled reference checkers read between lines and ask probing follow-ups.
Only call provided references. Backchannel references through your network often provide more candid feedback.
Reference checks are just verification. They're strategic tools to understand how to onboard and manage the hire.

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