| So you've finally found a new employee to fill that | | | | have attended, and, more than likely, any former |
| position that has been noticeably vacant for the past | | | | employers. Be sure to scrutinize the information |
| three months (maybe not in this economy). You have | | | | received from the past employers. Acquaintances and |
| run candidates through interviews and assessments | | | | past academic connections may give a skewed |
| and you're sure that this person is going to shine in their | | | | picture of the candidate; after all, who wants to say |
| new role with the company. | | | | bad things about a friend or alumnus? |
| A week later you get a call from the new-hire's | | | | - Realize that there is always going to be some risk |
| manager and find out the person you believed to be | | | | involved when bringing on a new-hire. The point of |
| the next Jack Welch turned out to be more like a | | | | checking a person's references is to make sure that |
| Bernie Madoff (ouch)! The new-hire has been caught | | | | the person is exactly who they portray themselves to |
| doing everything from stealing office supplies to | | | | be. Though this does not eliminate 100% of the risk (no |
| making inappropriate comments to another employee. | | | | pre-hire measure ever will) and you may be hard |
| All you can do is hang your head and say...DOH! | | | | pressed to get legitimate, useful answers out of any |
| So how could this have been avoided? The answer is: | | | | listed references, it is still best to cover all your bases. |
| a simple reference check. Here are few tips for | | | | - Make sure you inform the candidate you are |
| conducting an effective reference check, which may | | | | checking up on them. Federal law requires that you |
| help you avoid the horrible vignette described above: | | | | inform potential employees that you are running a |
| - Check all the references listed on the candidate's | | | | background/reference check via a reporting service. |
| application (I do mean all of them) - Take the | | | | There is no need to be secretive; it is well within you |
| information you already have in hand and make sure | | | | right to ensure you are hiring the employee you want |
| to use it. An applicant may have provided references | | | | and believe them to be - just make sure you are |
| from personal acquaintances, schools he/she may | | | | acting on the right side of the law. |