How to Find Signal in the Noise from Reference Checking

Hiring is one of the most consequential decisions we make as leaders. A bad hire is cancer to a culture. References offer critical insights, but only if you ask questions that go beyond the surface.

When checking references, try to listen for what’s not being said. People are typically shrewd in their responses, but there can be clues in what they are purposefully omitting. For instance, if references say your candidate “gets along with everyone,” you should think: “Are they willing and able to have the hard conversations that are sometimes needed in this role?”

There are typically great clues in the unsaid.

Great Questions

Here are five questions that cut through the politeness noise to reveal a candidate’s true strengths and weaknesses:

1. What's something this person is truly excellent at?

   People love to ask about weaknesses during reference-checking, but more often than not, you are hiring someone because you want great strengths from them. Where will they over-index compared to most? You’re looking for a strong, emphatic answer here.

2. Who would you pair them with for optimal results? How can their future manager ensure that they will thrive in this next role?

   This is a great way to better understand their weaknesses. Typically, people won't share that the person is not good at something, but they will share that you could pair them with somebody who is organized for the best outcome. When they do, they’re telling you the person isn't organized.

3. How often do they ask for constructive feedback? How do they deliver constructive feedback? How do they respond to constructive feedback?

   All of these get at a very important—and simple—thing: Do they care? Do they care about the team? Do they care about their work product? Do they care about the company's success and their individual success? Do they care about growth? Do they have a growth mindset? Etc.

4. Would you invest in them if they were a stock in the stock market?

   The question is uncommon and mildly shocking, which helps get candid answers. It reveals genuine confidence in the person's future value and trajectory. Watch closely for hesitation here.

5. If you were building a team tomorrow, would you hire them again? Why or why not?

   The classic "rehire test" remains one of the most revealing questions. Listen carefully to both what is said and what isn't. Lukewarm enthusiasm speaks volumes.

Great Finds

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Great Inspiration

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Onward!

Mike