We speak to references for our candidates all the time. Every day? Maybe. It is so essential and can really help us with what we do.

Gains

1.     You always learn new information from a reference check, or see a different viewpoint

2.    You may generate a new client

3.   You may receive some new market insight

4.   You’ll receive information on how to best help your candidate

5.   More of a holistic insight into your candidate

Time

We hear some recruiters believe calling references can waste their time. As what candidate would provide a reference that would be bad?

You’d be surprised how often it can actually happen though.

Moreover, you may find out that they didn’t report directly to the referee, time frames may be different, new inconsistencies and you may have more to investigate! This makes these calls worth your time, always.

Nothing to lose

Do you think your client will want to work with you if you choose to forget about reference checks?

Checking references could even become a marketing tool if you know how to 'talk the talk' as most recruiters do.

So, what are you waiting for – go do those reference checks!