Are You Trying To Find Something Wrong With People?

More on Backdoor Reference Checks

If you’re trying to find something wrong with a person, you will.

Guaranteed. Every one of us sucks at something. You and I included.

Even worse, we’ve had days when we’re an absolute mess. Disorganized, ill-tempered, whatever. And chances are, someone you work with saw you at that moment in time. And remembered it.

Which brings me back to backdoor reference checks.

Set aside the questionable morality of going behind a candidate’s back and potentially outing their job search. 

👉Back channels references can lose the plot, fast.

I’ve heard countless times where digging into something small turns into the spotlight of the conversation. Oh there’s dirt? Tell me more…

It all comes down to whether or not you’re trying to find something wrong with a person. Instead of using the discussion to ensure you capture information that will help you make your new hire successful.

Bottom line: if you spend 5 hours interviewing someone and it gets thrown away after a 15 minute backdoor call, what were you actually doing during those 5 hours?

And who’s more trustworthy, the candidate you dedicated time and effort to? Or the random friend-of-a-friend you won’t work with anyway?

Full episode of The 10 Minute Talent Rant, episode 67 “Inconvenient Truths About Reference Checks” available here.

James Hornick

Partner at Hirewell. #3 Ranked Sarcastic Commenter on LinkedIn.