Key Questions Employers Should Ask While Checking Out Candidate References

Checking out the references provided by prospective candidates is essential for making the right hiring decision. In addition to helping the recruitment professionals to validate the list of impressive accomplishments provided by the candidates, the process also helps them to know the candidate better. In order to fulfill the aforementioned objectives, it is important for the recruiters from the global executive search firms in Canada to ask the right questions while interacting with the candidate references. The most important of these questions are listed as follows.

How Would The References Rate The Candidate In Terms Of Dependability And Reliability?

Most recruiters take it for granted that the candidates they have selected will be reliable and dependable. However,  getting a realistic measure of these two key traits from their references is highly recommended. Given that these references often have a first-hand experience of the professional behavior and attitude of the candidates, they can provide a clear assessment of these essential qualities sought in a candidate.

What Are The Strengths And Weaknesses Of A Candidate?

This is a question that most recruiters ask from the candidates at least once during the interview sessions. However, only the best executive search firms in Canada seek an answer to this question from the candidate references as well. The answer provided by the references can be compared with the ones given by the candidates to understand their level of self-awareness. The recruiters also need to understand the fact that these strengths and weaknesses should be viewed in light of the fact that every organization is different and so are its challenges and work environment.

What Were The Candidates Biggest Accomplishments?

This is again a question that has a high likelihood of having featured in the interview sessions. However, by seeking an answer to this question, the recruiters can actually learn about how regularly the candidates went above and beyond their everyday responsibilities. It will help them give a better idea of whether the candidate falls into the category of a good professional or a great professional and how this trait can prove beneficial in the current role.

What Skills Do The Candidates Need To Develop To Reach Their Full Potential?

There is nothing like a perfect candidate as even the best professionals lack some desired skills or traits. However, by gaining prior knowledge about the skills or traits that the candidate need to develop to reach their full potential, the recruiters can make an informed hiring decision. It can help them assess the best ways to fill the voids that might be hindering the professional development of the candidates and push them closer to becoming the perfect professional.

Would They Recommend The Candidate?

This is a really straightforward question and can provide vital information that the references might not otherwise be willing to divulge. According to the expert recruiters from the top executive search firms in Canada, the enthusiasm depicted by the references in answering such a blunt question can in itself clarify their stand about endorsing the candidates. The question is also important as it helps the recruiters to establish the authenticity of all the answers provided by the references to previous questions.