Although the hiring process has evolved recently, some manual aspects of interviewing, such as gathering references, remain popular. Online checks and interviews can tell a lot about a person but obtaining references can help employers find the right fit for a role.

Despite the good intent of many job applicants, there will be those applying for a position using nefarious methods, including the falsification of documentation, including references.

Fortunately, some steps can be taken to ensure references are genuine, allowing for a streamlined hiring process in every instance.

Carry Out the Reference Check Yourself

Although there are ways of obtaining references that don’t require a lot of work, it could mean that you are not receiving the full context when instructing someone else to obtain the documentation.

Checking the references yourself ensures that all the details given are correct, and you can speak to someone who has worked with the candidate directly, allowing for a realistic overview of their skills.

Check More Than One Reference

Although only using one reference may seem more efficient, it can mean a company needs to be given a complete overview of candidates that could bring several benefits to the business.

As such, it is advisable to reach out to two or three past employers when asking for references. This allows you to build a better profile of potential candidates and confirm whether they are the right fit for the business.

Keep It All Confidential

When carrying out reference checks, there will be times when discussion needs to be had with others in the business. However, everything discussed should be limited to those involved in the hiring process.

Discussing with other employees or outside the business could mean Data Protection is breached, which could lead to a series of legal ramifications. Keeping information restricted to those involved in the hiring process ensures that those applying for job positions have peace of mind their personal information is safeguarded.

Although there is no obligation to do so, it can be worthwhile notifying the candidate when seeking references, as it allows them to ensure all contact details given are correct.

Use Online Document Verification

Although carrying out the reference check yourself can help ensure the authenticity, there will be times when references are posted or sent via email. Although this can speed up the hiring process, some businesses can be concerned about the authenticity of references.

At best, it could mean a company hires someone unsuitable to fulfil a job role. At worst, it could mean customers and other employees are at risk. Fortunately, there is an easy way of checking documents are authentic.

Verifying background checks is as easy as uploading a document and allowing an advanced algorithm to carry out a series of checks that human eyes alone may miss. Whether a signature looks incorrect, or a logo doesn’t seem genuine, online document verification can establish the authenticity of references within 30 seconds in most instances.