References

Checking references is a critically important part of the selection process. As with all other steps in the selection process, consistency and fairness are paramount. Reference questions must be clearly job-related and directly relevant to a candidate’s potential success in the position. The search committee or hiring authority should take care to be gathering the same body of information for each candidate.

The search committee/hiring authority is not limited to contacting those references identified by the candidate. However, to ensure respect for candidates in the selection process, it is a professional courtesy to let candidates know if additional references are being contacted.

Where additional references are contacted, the search committee or hiring authority should have a clear and job-related rationale for contacting those references.