Three reasons to perform employment reference checks

1)   You want to ensure the applicant was honest. Resume fraud is a big problem, and it happens on all levels — from entry level to upper management. By contacting applicants’ references, you can ensure they did not embellish past job duties or fabricate educational experience. 2)   You want to ensure they have the right skills. It’s happened before: a new employee begins work, and within a few days the employer becomes painfully aware that the employee’s skill set does not match the job description, whether through resume falsehoods or simple miscommunication. When you contact former employers or co-workers, you can get specific details about past performance from someone who is not trying to put their best face forward. 3)   You want to ensure their values align with those of the company or department. Here’s where personal references are really important. You want to hire someone that will work hard and do their best for you. It can put your mind at ease to know that your applicant has a reputation for always being five minutes early, or is a positive, upbeat team player. Personal references allow you to get past the nitty-gritty of the job description and find out how that person will fit within your organization. Once you have the contact information for those references, it’s time to start asking questions! To learn more about what kinds of questions you should ask during a reference check, contact Mind Your Business.]]>