Do You Do Reference Checks?

The results on an online survey found that 1 in 4 survey respondents faked job references. This was in a 2024 “StandoutCV” survey that found that 64% of respondents had lied on a resume, with over 15% fabricating references. They advise employers to make sure to ask effective screening questions, such as the following: 

• Can you verify the candidate’s employment, job title, pay, and responsibilities? Why did they leave that job?  

• How do you know the job candidate?  

• What makes the candidate a good fit for this job?  

• If you had the opportunity, would you re-hire this job candidate? Why?  

• What are the candidate’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?  

• Did the candidate get along with their co-workers and management?  

• Tell me what working with the job candidate is like.  

• What advice can you give me on managing the job candidate successfully?  

• What else do I need to know about the job candidate I didn’t already ask?  

• Who else should I speak to about the candidate who can provide different insight. 

Their tips for checking references include the following:

• Pay attention to the tone and nature of the reference’s answers, as hesitancy or unclear responses may indicate underlying concerns. 

• Verify the reference’s credibility by cross-referencing contact information with official company channels. 

• Don’t delegate the reference check to someone else; take ownership to gather firsthand insights.  

• Make detailed notes during the reference check, documenting key points and any potential red flags.  

• Conduct the reference check by phone, allowing for a more personal and detailed conversation.  

• Start with easy questions to establish rapport before delving into more in-depth inquiries.  

• Verify employment dates to ensure consistency with the candidate’s provided information.  

• Avoid close-ended (yes/no) questions; encourage open-ended responses that provide a fuller picture.