Character references often make or break a person's chances at snagging a spot at a competitive school, calling that perfect apartment home or even adopting a pet from a rescue shelter. You might seem like the perfect candidate, but all too often managers or admissions counselors have been fooled. Checking references and making sure candidates are who they present themselves to be can be crucial.
Instructions
1. Read letters of reference with a critical eye. Determine the person's relationship with your candidate. Ask yourself questions. Does this match up with the other information you have gathered about your candidate? Does anything seem out of place? What's the tone of the letter? Is it enthusiastic and original or matter of fact and generic? Consider what the person actually says. Make notes on what follow-up questions you'd like to ask.
2. Call the character references. Introduce yourself by your name and title, state what organization you represent and then let the the person know what your applicant is seeking from you and a few details about the situation. For instance, if Jane Doe is one of three people vying for a summer camp scholarship, you should tell the reference that information and a little bit about the camp. Let the person know he was listed as a character reference for Jane and ask if he has a few moments to answer questions you have.
3. Ask open-ended questions. If you're deciding between three people for a camp scholarship, you might ask questions such as: What do you think Jane would learn most from the camp? How would she fit into that environment? Why should I choose Jane over the other two candidates? If you're seeking to hire someone, you might ask questions such as: Would you hire her for this position? Why or why not? What should I know about Jane? Don't ask questions that could lead to a discrimination claim or could be perceived as a violation of privacy rights. For instance, do not ask questions about the person's race, gender, disabilities, age, sexual orientation or marital status.
4. Listen carefully. The majority of people will tell you what you need to know just through tone of voice, demeanor on the phone and direct answers. Evaluate what the person is saying it and how she says it. Is she enthusiastic or hesitant in her recommendation? Take notes and ask the follow-up questions. For instance, if the person says that "Jane is a real thrill-seeker so you'll have your hands full," you should follow up with a question to clarify what the person said. You might follow up with this question, "Could you describe how Jane is a thrill seeker?" The reference might tell you that she likes to ride roller coasters and never turns down a chance at adventure. Or you might be told that she's been issued three speeding tickets and throws herself head-long into bad situations. Sometimes people get nervous when trying to make a good impression, so if you don't understand something, ask for an explanation.
5. Evaluate what you've learned from each of the letters of reference and from the conversations you've had on the phone. If you are left with questions or red flags, consider calling the candidate for clarification and looking deeper by calling other people who know or have worked with the candidate in the past. They might be able to fill in the blanks.
Tags: what person, camp scholarship, Evaluate what, follow with, follow-up questions