8 Questions to Ask During Any Reference-Checking Phone Call

8 Questions to Ask During Any Reference-Checking Phone Call 8 Questions to Ask During Any Reference-Checking Phone Call Article by Sorosh TavakoliIt is extremely hard to get an idea of what a person will be like at work through classic interviews alone.The best way I know around this problem is by making reference calls. Done well, they are gold mine.Im not trying to capture everything involved in checkingreferences, but zu siche are some things to consider- Always try tofind some backdoor references.Dont just rely on the applicants provided references.- Anyone taking a reference call will usually have a desire to be helpful to the applicant. Your job is to get through that initial kindness and go deeper.- Dontfocus on validating your own assumptions. Instead, ask open-ended questions and listen. Be quiet and let the reference speak.- One good way to get the reference to open up is to frame the conversation as help me best manage my future recruit. Itll be easier to get information about weaknesses and how to manage them if you do this.The 8 Questions You Should Always Ask When Checking ReferencesHeres the reference-checking script Ive used for the past seven yearsWhat was your relation tothe applicant and for how long?What were the applicants major accomplishments?Key strengths? If I hire her, what are the things this person should totally be doing,the areas where she kills it?Weaknesses or areas for improvement? What things should I not have her do? Where will I get the least out of her?(Explain the role you are hiring for, then ask)Do you think she would be a good fit for this role? Why?Do you have any advice for us if we hire this person? How do I best manage her? What motivates her?Would you hire this person again? (It is important to listen to the references tone here.)Compared to all the people youve worked with, how would you grade this personon a scaleof 1-10?Master the art of checking referencesand remember its one of the best ways to spend your tim e. Bad hires areprobably the most expensive mistakes wemake and many of us make these mistakes often.A version of this article originally appeared on 42Hire.com.Sorosh Tavakoliis the founder of Videoplaza and entrepreneur in residence at Founders Pledge.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.