Image courtesy of Pixabay
As you may already know, the Vancouver job market is very competitive. Finding the right talent for your organization can be a very hard job. You want to make informed hiring decisions to ensure the long-term success of your company. Power tools that can help you in this process are reference checks. These checks provide a helpful understanding of a candidate’s past performance, work attitude, and whether a candidate will fit with your team. Continue reading to learn the best practices to get the most out of this extremely important part of the hiring process.
Understanding Reference Checks
Reference checks involve contacting a candidate’s previous employers, fellow workers, or other professional contacts. You will gather information about their skills, work history, and character. There are different types, including employment references, character references, educational references, and – most importantly – criminal record checks.
Employment references focus on the candidate’s previous work experience, while character references provide an understanding of their personal qualities and whether they’re trustworthy. Educational references are especially helpful for recent graduates or candidates with limited work experience.
Image by Ichigo121212 from Pixabay
Criminal record checks can tell you if an applicant has any criminal background. There are three types of criminal record checks:
Basic Criminal Background Check
The Basic Criminal Record Check is done using an applicant’s name and birthdate. This check will search the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records (CPIC). It will report any past criminal convictions. This check will not, however, show any pardons the applicant may have received.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Vulnerable Sector Check
This check is particularly needed if your employees work or volunteer with children, the aged, or the disabled. It searches further than the basic criminal check and will show any sexual offences ever committed – even those who have completed a period of 10 years probation.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Enhanced Criminal Background Check
This check includes everything in the Basic Criminal Record Check plus national and international databases. This enhanced check requires the applicant to provide their fingerprints.
Instant Record Check (IRC) can quickly and easily do these criminal background checks for you. While you follow-up on the applicant’s work or college history, we can get you information regarding anything criminal in less than 48 hours. Work smarter, not harder with IRC.
The role of reference checks in the hiring process cannot be overstated. They provide an opportunity to prove true the information provided by the candidate, such as their employment dates and job responsibilities. These different checks can also help you evaluate a candidate’s fit within your organization. You will gain a valuable summary of their work style, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. You can make smarter choices and reduce the risk of a bad hire.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Benefits of Effective Reference Checks
Reducing the risk of a bad hire is one of the most important benefits of conducting background checks. Hiring the wrong person can result in decreased productivity and increased turnover, while possibly losing money. These checks allow you to prove true the candidate’s skills and experience so you can make sure that they have the necessary abilities for the role. By speaking with previous employers, professors, etc., you can gain an understanding into the candidate’s work attitude, if they’re reliable, and their ability to handle challenges.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Also, It provide valuable information about a candidate’s work style and personality. Understanding how they work together with others, communicate, and handle stress can help you decide if they will do well in your work environment. Vancouver has a large professional landscape, and finding candidates who fit with your organization’s culture and values is extremely important for long-term success.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Best Practices
It is necessary to consider legal considerations and correct guidelines when doing background checks. Make sure that you obey privacy laws and be sure to get the candidates consent (permission) to legally allow you to contact their references. When reaching out to references, it’s best to use professional and respectful communication channels. Prepare a list of effective questions asking about the candidate’s performance, strengths, areas for improvement, and ability to work in a team. Open-ended questions can encourage references to give you more information, offering you a deeper understanding of the candidate’s abilities.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Establishing Clear Criteria for Reference Checks
To get the most out of the check, it’s very important to establish clear requirements for the information you need from references. Decide on the key qualities and abilities necessary for success in the role. Be sure to ask targeted questions that bring out useful information. For example, if teamwork is is most important for the job, you may ask references about the candidate’s ability to work effectively with co-workers or their leadership skills. By matching your questions with your needed requirements, you will gather the most useful information.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Analyzing Reference Check Information to Make Informed Decisions
Once you have collected the background information, it’s important to carefully study the answers to make informed decisions. Think about the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses as highlighted by their references, and weigh them against the needs of the role. Reference checks can also help fill in knowledge gaps about the candidate, providing an understanding of areas that may not have been covered in their resume or interviews.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Avoiding Common Mistakes in Reference Checks
While background checks can be extremely valuable, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can interfere with their effectiveness. Rushing through reference checks may result in missing critical information. Take the time to have thorough conversations with references. Make sure that you ask the right questions that match the needs of the role. Asking shallow questions may not produce the depth of information you need to make smart choices. They should not be the only factor in your hiring decision. Balance background check information with the interview to make sure of a thorough evaluation.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Why Every Employer Should Conduct Reference Checks
Reference checks offer significant advantages to employers. They provide an opportunity to confirm a candidate’s qualifications, evaluate their fit with your organization’s culture, and gain an understanding of their work style and personality. By doing effective checks, you can reduce the risk of a bad hire, make smart choices, and build a team that adds to the long-term success of your organization.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Summary
Reference checks are a very important part of the hiring process for Vancouver employers. They provide valuable information that allows you to make smart choices and reduce the risk of hiring the wrong candidate. By understanding the different types of checks, putting into use best practices, and carefully studying the information received, you can maximize the benefits of reference checks. Doing these background checks will build a strong and successful team that moves your organization forward in the competitive Vancouver job market. So, take the time to conduct thorough checks, ask the right questions, and take advantage of this valuable tool to make informed hiring decisions. And be sure to use Instant Record Check for your criminal background checks. The future of your company’s success depends on it.
