What to Listen for When Conducting an IT Reference Check

You finally found the right candidate for your IT job opening. But will they stand up to scrutiny when you check their references?

While only time will tell, it’s critically important that you take a slow and thorough approach when conducting reference checks. As one of the leading IT staffing agencies in Kansas City, Morgan Hunter knows first-hand that checking references can give you a more complete picture of a person’s abilities and achievements. Skipping this step or not giving it the attention it deserves, however, can result in a hiring mistake.

What should you listen for when checking references? Here’s a look:

Awkward Pauses

If you ask a reference “Would you hire this person again?” and you get a long silence on the other end of the phone, it’s a bad sign. Awkward pauses should prompt you to ask follow up questions since you probably just hit an area of concern.

Vague Answers

A reference may provide an answer lacking in detail. But when you dig a little deeper – and ask follow up questions such as “Why is that?” or “Tell me more.” – they offer you the details you need to make a good hiring decision. However, it’s when a reference will not provide you with specifics – no matter how hard you try – that you need to watch out.

Inconsistencies

If you call a reference – and the information they provide you is not consistent with what the candidate told you – then there’s a problem. Whether it’s different job titles, duties or length of employment, warning bells should be going off in your head. That said, the reference may have the facts wrong, so you’ll want to give the job candidate a chance to offer an explanation.

Bad Feedback

Typically, candidates only provide reference information for people they know will offer a positive review. However, there are times when a reference will be brutally honest – and give negative feedback instead. Keep in mind, though, that the reference may be biased due to past personal conflicts with the candidate. In these cases, you’ll want to check several other references so you can gain a clearer understanding of the situation.

Rushing through the process of checking references – or bypassing it altogether – in order to make a quick hire may be tempting. Even so, getting reliable information from a former boss is a vital step if you want to hire right.

Need more help conducting effective reference checks and hiring top technical talent? Call Morgan Hunter. As one of the leading IT staffing agencies in Kansas City, we specialize in recruiting technology professionals, ranging from Chief Information Officers to Desktop Support. All candidates are rigorously screened by our consultants to ensure their technical compatibility, and to identify the personality traits that will allow them to blend smoothly into your organization. Contact us today to learn more.