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Purpose
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Verify basic employment history and general fit.
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Obtain in-depth feedback on performance, behavior, and work style.
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Assess technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, or role expertise.
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| Number of References |
2-3 references. |
3-5 or more references (including supervisors, colleagues, etc.). |
2-4 references, usually from specialists or experts in the field. |
| Focus Areas |
Employment dates, job title, general performance, and behavior.
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Strengths/weaknesses, work style, teamwork, leadership, cultural fit, performance details. |
Technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, industry-specific skills, role-specific challenges.
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| Type of Questions |
Basic confirmation of job history, reliability, and conduct.
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Detailed questions on skills, work ethic, and fit with team/organization. |
Focused on specific skills, knowledge, and technical competencies. |
| Depth of Information |
Limited, mostly factual.
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In-depth, offering a broader picture of the candidate's qualifications. |
Highly focused, often requiring detailed examples related to the field. |
| Sources of Reference |
Mostly supervisors or HR representatives.
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Supervisors, colleagues, direct reports, and sometimes clients. |
Subject matter experts, senior managers, and professionals in the candidate's field. |
| Time and Effort |
Quick and easy to conduct. |
More time-consuming due to the depth and number of references.
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Requires more effort, as it involves identifying experts or specialized contacts. |
| Nature of Evaluation |
General assessment of reliability, job fit, and behavior.
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Detailed evaluation of performance, strengths, weaknesses, and cultural fit. |
Evaluation of specialized competencies and technical abilities. |
| Used For |
Entry-level roles or low-risk hiring decisions. |
Mid- to senior-level roles, or roles requiring a higher degree of fit and competency. |
High-level, technical, or niche roles that require specialized knowledge. |
| Examples of Questions |
"Did the candidate perform their duties as expected?"
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"How does the candidate handle stress? What are their leadership qualities?" |
"How proficient is the candidate in using [specific software/tool]? Can they lead a technical project?" |