how to get value from your references claire pressman b.a chrl references & more services ltd...

How to Get Value from Your References

Claire Pressman B.A CHRLReferences & More Services Ltd905-760-9096 toll-free 1-877-760-9096claire@referencesandmoreservices.comwww.referencesandmoreservices.com

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Agenda• Getting started• Authorization forms• Referees• Key Competencies• Cultural Differences• Education Verification• Changes in the Criminal Background Checks

Claire Pressman B.A CHRLReferences & More Services Ltdwww.referencesandmoreservices.com

Background checks in the age of technology


Getting startingAn authorization form – it’s the law

Good authorization form should cover permission to:

1. Contact the referee2. Verify information on their resume3. Confirm post-secondary education, degree & certificates

Ensure that the candidate signs it.

Claire Pressman BA CHRLReferences & More Services Ltdwww.referencesandmoreservices.com

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Authorization FormsBest Practices

• Best practice would be to have the candidate provide the name of the referee

• when and where they worked together• the reporting relationship, phone number*• *indicate whether it is office or mobile • email address

Tip- Remind the candidate to ensure that his referees are available to speak to you!


Not all Referees are Equal

• Do not accept• Friends & Family• References that are more than 10 years old• References that can’t speak to the candidates’

performance


Be Flexible

Ideal References Acceptable References

• Coach• Clergy• Former Colleague• Supervisor from a

volunteer organization• Team

member/work/school/ sport

• Supervisor• Director• Client• Direct Report• Colleague/team member• Professor/teacher


Referees are people too!• Respect their time, their time is just as valuable as yours• Be kind, no one is going to give you information if their

back is up

Be Prepared• Have the resume accessible• Ask the referee if the candidate has performed the tasks

he or she says that she has done• Verify accomplishments• Ask open ended questions


Getting to Know your Candidate

Asking open ended questions and probing on key competencies will allow you to know:

• How well the candidate has performed in the past.• What motivates them• How they deal with stress• How they lead• How to support them• Etc…………


Core Competencies

• Team work • Communication• Adaptability• Reliability• Motivation

• Problem Solving• Leadership• Conflict Management• Accountability• Decision making


Examples

•Motivation• What motivates the candidate/What type of

environment will the candidate be most successful?

• Leadership• Please describe the candidates’ leadership

skills/How does he/she influence others?


Your turn


Cultural differences

• Different cultures have different norms• Cultural differences are not a red flag


Would you recommend the candidate?


A Red Flag = Gift

• No one is perfect.

• A red flag can be a gift


Education

• Signed authorization• Name used in school• Student #and/or DOB• Type of degree• Year of convocation


Criminal background checks

• History of the criminal background checks• How it affects you• Proposed changes• How it will affect you


Questions

Claire Pressman B.A CHRLReferences & More Services Ltd905-760-9096 toll-free 1-877-760-9096claire@referencesandmoreservices.comwww.referencesandmoreservices.com

http://www.referencesandmoreservices.com/

how to get value from your references claire pressman b.a chrl references & more services ltd...

Documents

references claire pressman

claire pressman ba chrl

friends family references

years old references

candidate signs

law good authorization

open ended questions

colleague supervisor