Reference checking is a valuable tool in the hiring process

Assessment is top of mind for anyone recruiting candidates. The tools to assess have evolved substantially over the last 20 years. Better interviewing techniques and in-depth personality profiling via a variety of psychological tests are now mainstream in the evaluation process. One tool of assessment, however, that is critical to assessment is more and more being intentionally overlooked. That is Reference Checking. We have convinced ourselves due to privacy legislation and the fear of being sued for costing someone employment from a “bad” reference that we either won’t give one or won’t pursue one. It is a mistake to not utilize such a valuable tool. The following article by lawyer Howard Levitt points out our wrong thinking:

http://business.financialpost.com/executive/careers/howard-levitt-go-ahead-give-a-negative-employment-reference