A Vital Step in the Recruitment Process

In the dynamic business environment of Australia, ensuring that you bring the right talent into your team is more important than ever. As a business advisor, I often stress the significance of conducting thorough reference checks during the hiring process. Reference checking is a crucial step in validating a candidate’s suitability for a role and can save your business from potential future problems. Here’s why reference checks should be an integral part of your recruitment strategy.

1. Verifying Candidate Information

  • Accuracy of Resume Claims: Reference checks help verify the accuracy of the information provided by candidates on their resumes. This includes their employment history, qualifications, and skills.
  • Consistency in Performance: Past performance is a good indicator of future behaviour. Reference checks can confirm whether a candidate has consistently demonstrated the skills and competencies they claim to possess.

2. Understanding Work Ethic and Compatibility

  • Insight into Work Ethic: A former employer or colleague can provide insights into the candidate’s work ethic, reliability, and dedication.
  • Team Compatibility: Understanding how a candidate has interacted with previous teams can gauge their potential fit within your company’s culture.

3. Identifying Red Flags

  • Spotting Potential Issues: Reference checks can reveal any red flags, such as a history of conflict, poor performance, or unreliability.
  • Preventing Costly Mistakes: Hiring the wrong person can be costly in terms of both financial resources and team morale. Reference checks help minimise this risk.

4. Gaining a Holistic View of the Candidate

  • Beyond the Interview: Interviews can only reveal so much. Reference checks provide a more rounded view of the candidate’s abilities and character.
  • Balancing Subjectivity: They offer an external perspective, which can balance the subjectivity of the interview process.

5. Legal and Compliance Aspects

  • Compliance with Standards: In certain industries, reference checking is not just best practice but a compliance requirement.
  • Legal Due Diligence: Conducting reference checks demonstrates due diligence, which can be important for legal reasons, particularly if issues arise in the future.

6. Tailoring Reference Questions

  • Relevant Enquiries: Customise your questions to obtain information that is most relevant to the role and your organisation.
  • Behavioural Insights: Ask for specific examples of past behaviours that relate to key competencies of the job.

7. Building a Quality Team

  • Investment in Quality: Comprehensive reference checks are an investment in the quality and integrity of your team.
  • Long-Term Success: They contribute to long-term organisational success by ensuring that new hires are capable and a good fit.


Reference checking is a vital component of the recruitment process, offering insights into a candidate’s past performance, work ethic, and compatibility with your team. It provides a safeguard against potential hiring mistakes and contributes to building a strong, cohesive team. In today’s competitive business landscape, thorough reference checks are an essential practice for any organisation aiming to attract and retain top talent.