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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 references |
2-3 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
|
| Type of Questions |
Basic confirmation of job history, reliability, and conduct
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
Requires more effort, as it involves identifying experts or specialized contacts |
| Nature of Evaluation |
General assessment of reliability, job fit, and behavior
|
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?"
|
"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?" |