One of the easiest ways to avoid hiring mistakes is to check the candidate’s background thoroughly. Doing so is cheap and (if done right) useful. There are two main reasons to check backgrounds—to verify the applicant’s information and to uncover damaging information.
In terms of effectiveness, however, most managers don’t view references as very useful. This makes sense, given that few employers will talk freely about former employees for legal or ethical reasons. That is just the tip of the iceberg, however. Being sued for defamation is the real danger. First-line supervisors and managers, not just employers, are potentially at risk. As a rule, only authorized managers should provide information.
Most employers at least try to verify an applicant’s position and salary with his or her current or former employer by phone. Others call the applicant’s current and previous supervisors for inform