Reference check

Reference check is important. But if they are not done in a structured and methodical way with questions related to behavior that will be important in the position to be filled, it can sometimes be better not to. All people have some positive sides and a reference who wishes the other good luck in the future, or is shy of conflict, can sometimes be difficult to get to say something negative about the candidate. It is therefore important to challenge the references and not give up until they have come up with some development areas for the candidate. Nobody is perfect and most strengths have a flip side so if the reference indicates for example that the candidate is very structured,then we can check with the reference about where flexible the candidate is. It should be well done to be both very structured and very flexible.

Sometimes it can be just as important to listen and listen for "what is not being said", and it is always smart to ask the reference to provide examples from actual episodes where they have observed or worked with the candidate.

Otherwise, it is mandatory to check what relationship the reference has to the candidate. What relationship did they have before, are they still in contact and in what way.