Recruiting Solutions: the Best Way to Request a Reference Letter in 2022

Have you recently adopted recruiting solutions to find the perfect candidate? If yes, all you need now is to verify their claims with a reference letter. 

Reference letters help you validate the information and instinct you already have about your candidate. They also give you the conviction and confidence needed to make the right hiring decisions. 

In some cases, it will keep you from hiring people that may not be the right fit for your organization, or even be dangerous to the workplace.

Two or three contacts are enough to learn about candidates’ past work performance. To avoid back-and-forth emails, ask candidates to send you all necessary contact information, including names, phones, or emails, and the working relationship they had with their references.

Recruiting Solutions: When To Ask For Candidate’s Reference

The perfect time to ask your candidates for references is right before the final stage after a hiring decision is made and before an attractive offer is rolled out. 

Don’t ask for references in your application forms or resume templates, or even at the screening or interviewing stage. Most candidates do not want their current employer to know about their job search.  

Write the below points in your recruiting solutions as what you should include in your email while asking candidates for references:

• Request the clear name and designation of the candidate’s reference. 
• Ask for the reporting relationship the reference has had with the candidate (and if relevant, the period for which they’ve known each other).
• If you want references from any specific professional contacts such as immediate supervisors, peers, or subordinates, mention them.
• If you are considering multiple candidates at this stage, mention the date until when the consideration stands so they can send the references in before that.
• Ask for two or more references, in case you are unable to reach one of them.

How To Ask Candidates For References: Email Template

Subject line: [job_title] at [company_name]

Preview text: Please send in your references so we can move forward.

Body of the email:

Hi [candidate_name],

Thank you for taking the time to interview with us for the position of [Job_Title]. Our team was impressed with your assignments and would like to advance you to the final round of the interview process. 

Can you please quickly send in three of your professional references, clearly mentioning their names, your reporting relationships, and the means to contact them? It would be really helpful if you can send it in before [preferred date].

Please feel free to hit reply or give me a call if you have any doubts. Hoping to see you on the other side!

All the best,

[Your Name]

[Email signature]

Some Good Questions To Start A Conversation With The References

• How long did you work with each other?
• What would you describe as the top strength and weaknesses of [candidate_name]? Ask for examples if needed.
• Would you say [Candidate_name] is a team player?
• How does he/she handle conflicts?
• How does he/she face a failure situation?

Conclusion

It is crucial to ask for a reference letter when you find a perfect candidate with your recruiting solutions!  

This will allow you to make well-rounded hiring decisions by getting feedback from people that have seen your potential hires in action. Luckily, we have the perfect product that will make hiring top talent easier than ever!     

EVA-REC is an on-demand hiring platform that automates and improves the hiring process with AI technology. From small businesses to industry giants – EVA-REC offers fully customizable world-class features that help create a rich and immersive hiring experience for recruiters and candidates. With EVA-REC, companies can drive merit-based, objective, and fair hiring practices that minimize bias, without dehumanizing the hiring process.

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