Questions to Ask References in Year 2023
Why Ask for References in the First Place?
If you're looking to hire someone, it's important to get a better understanding of their skills and work ethic. Asking for references can help you do that. It gives you the chance to speak to people who have worked with them in the past, and can provide you with valuable insight into the candidate's professional background.
What Kind of Questions Should You Ask?
When it comes to references, it's important to ask questions that are relevant to the job. Here are some examples of questions you can ask:
- What did you think of the candidate's work ethic?
- What kind of results did they achieve in their role?
- What tasks or projects did they handle?
- How did they handle difficult situations?
- What was their communication style like?
- Would you recommend them for this role?
How to Ask the Right Questions
When asking questions, it's important to stay focused and not get sidetracked. You want to ensure that the questions you're asking are relevant to the job, and that you're getting valuable information from the reference. Stay away from questions that are too personal or that are not related to the job.
What to Do if You Don’t Get Good References
If you don't get good references from a candidate, it's important to take that into account when considering them for a job. Bad references can be an indication that the candidate might not be the right fit for the role. However, if the references are positive, it's a good sign that the candidate could be a good fit.
Follow Up Questions You Can Ask
Once you have asked the initial questions, it's a good idea to ask follow up questions to get more information. Here are some examples of follow up questions you can ask:
- What was the candidate's biggest strength?
- What was the candidate's biggest weakness?
- Did the candidate ever miss deadlines?
- What kind of feedback did the candidate receive from their team?
- How did the candidate handle difficult conversations?
- What was the candidate's overall attitude like?
Things to Keep in Mind When Asking for References
When asking for references, it's important to keep a few things in mind. First, make sure to respect the candidate's privacy and only ask questions that are relevant to the job. Second, be sure to ask open-ended questions that will allow you to get more information. Finally, be sure to thank the reference for their time and input.
Conclusion
Asking for references is an important step in the hiring process. It allows you to get valuable insight into a candidate's professional background and can help you make a more informed decision. When asking for references, be sure to ask relevant questions, follow up with additional questions, and respect the candidate's privacy.
