As professional recruiters in Houston, Murray Resources knows when it comes to the hiring process, reference checks play a critical role. The information you find out during them can help confirm the strength of a candidate, or uncover any weaknesses you’re not aware of. Whatever the case, they can provide insight and peace of mind next time you need to hire.

That said, there are some common mistakes hiring managers make that can negatively impact the process. Here’s a look at 4 of them:

Not checking references for all candidates.

Don’t make the mistake of checking references for some candidates and not others. If you do this, you won’t get a full sense of the candidates you’re considering for hiring. You can do less in-depth reference checks for lower level positions and more comprehensive ones for higher level roles. Just make sure whatever approach you take is consistent within positions.

Offering the job before checking references.

As professional recruiters in Houston, we know that some employers make a job offer contingent on reference checks. But what if a candidate ends up with weak references and you let your other top pick candidates go? It’s best to narrow your list of candidates down to two or three, and then check the references of each. You can then make a more informed hiring decision.

Not checking references.

You need to hire someone fast. That’s certainly understandable. But whatever you do, don’t skip the reference checking process. There are too many candidates who look great on paper and perform well during interviews, only to fall flat once on the job. But when you check their references ahead of time, you’re more likely to find out about any red flags or reasons to avoid hiring them.

Asking the wrong questions.

If you want to conduct effective reference checks, it’s important that you ask more than “yes” and “no” questions. For instance, instead of asking if Sally did a good job, ask the reference giver to offer some specific examples of how well Sally performed on the job. In addition, when details are vague or unclear, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions. This is your chance at getting behind the candidate mask.

Sometimes, employers simply don’t have the time or resources to conduct reference checks. If that’s the case for you, why not outsource some or all of your hiring process to the experts at Murray Resources. As professional recruiters in Houston, we can handle every aspect of your search – from sourcing and screening to interviews and reference checks – or simply the parts you don’t have time for. Whatever your needs, we’re here to help you making smart hiring decisions. Contact us today to learn more.