Are job references useless? Have they ever been helpful?
I’ve never recommended job references as a key element of recruitment decision making but was wondering if they have any place?
Some will look back fondly at the detailed references we used to get – details on personal qualities such as honesty, integrity, ability to get on with colleagues, and cope with stress but these sorts of comments can be very subjective – just how accurate was this information?
Now companys are so cautious that the information they provide has little use. What you are likely to get is the bare minimum, just confirmation of dates of employment, and how useful is that?
Candidiates also will choose references who will give them a positve reference, and if someone has been ‘let go’ a previous boss may feel guitly and so provide a more positive answer.
As a recruiter, it is best to concentrate on what you can gather for yourself, accurate assessment through the use of assessment centre techniques.
I’ve helped a couple of people prepare for assessment centres recently, one got the job and I’m waiting to hear from the other person. My advice is helpful and accurate – I used to be head of assessor training for the Post Office and have designed over 100 assessment centres and assessed literally thousands of candidiates.
If you would like to discuss how I can help you please get in touch.
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