When managing a higher education institution, hiring the right professionals is essential for maintaining the integrity of your academic programs and ensuring a positive environment for students and staff alike. One key element of the hiring process that can significantly influence the success of your candidate selection is reference checking.
A reference checking service offers details about an applicant’s past performance and behavior that might not be evident from traditional application materials.
Barada Associates provides an unparalleled reference checking service for higher education institutions across the country. We help you make confident hiring decisions and minimize the risks associated with hiring staff who may not be the right fit.
Read on to discover five compelling reasons why incorporating job reference checking services is crucial for your higher education institution.
Understanding a Professional Reference Check
A professional reference check is a vital part of the hiring process that involves contacting a candidate’s former employers, supervisors, or colleagues to verify their job history, skills, and work behavior.
Unlike a resume, which only highlights a candidate’s strengths, professional reference checks provide a prospective employer and their hiring managers with a more comprehensive look at the applicant’s previous performance in real-world situations. For higher education institutions, these checks are particularly important because they ensure that candidates not only meet the qualifications on paper but also have the experience and demeanor to thrive in a demanding academic environment.
How to Conduct Reference Checks
Conducting reference checks is a multi-step process that requires attention to detail. Begin by obtaining permission from the candidate to contact their professional or personal contacts.
Once you’ve secured consent, ensure the references provided include former employers, supervisors, or colleagues – if you’ve requested professional references specifically – who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal skills. Prepare a list of questions designed to gather relevant insights into how the candidate performed in their previous roles, focusing on both their professional achievements and workplace behavior.
It’s important to verify the identity of each reference and clarify their relationship to the candidate. Document the responses thoroughly and use this information to guide your hiring decisions.
At Barada Associates, we offer a professional reference check service tailored to your institution’s unique needs. Contact us to learn how we can streamline the employment verification process for you.
5 Benefits of Reference Checking Services for Your Higher Education Institution
Check out these key reasons why your institution should incorporate professional reference checking services into its hiring process.
1. Verify Qualifications Beyond the Resume
Resumes only provide a snapshot of a candidate’s experience, often leaving out critical details or inflating qualifications. A reference checking service digs deeper, verifying whether the candidate genuinely possesses the skills and qualifications they claim. In higher education, where specialized degrees, research experience, and teaching credentials are fundamental, this step is crucial.
With a job reference checking service, your institution can ensure that every candidate’s background is thoroughly vetted. This service offers feedback from previous employers on how the applicant applied their expertise in an academic or administrative setting, providing hiring managers with confidence in their choices.
2. Assess Professionalism and Interpersonal Skills
In a higher education setting, professionalism extends beyond qualifications. Faculty, staff, and administrators are expected to foster a supportive, collaborative environment. Professional reference checks offer insights into how candidates interact with colleagues, manage conflict, and handle the stresses that come with working in education.
By contacting previous employers and colleagues, you can uncover valuable information about a candidate’s work behavior, reliability, and ability to collaborate within a team. This detailed information helps ensure that new hires will integrate well with your institution’s culture and contribute to its long-term success.
3. Minimize the Risk of a Bad Hire
Hiring the wrong candidate can have serious consequences for any institution, including wasted resources, disrupted workflows, and potential damage to your academic reputation. In higher education, where every role—from administrative staff to faculty members—affects students’ educational experiences, making an informed hiring decision is even more important.
Using a job reference checking service allows your institution to identify any red flags, such as concerns about reliability, professionalism, or work ethic. Whether it’s a bad reference or an unaddressed issue in a previous role, these insights enable you to make a well-informed decision and avoid costly hiring mistakes.
4. Gain a Competitive Hiring Advantage
By incorporating professional reference checking services into your hiring process, your higher education institution gains a distinct advantage. Reference checks allow you to evaluate candidates more comprehensively than institutions that rely solely on resumes and interviews.
When job candidates know that your institution conducts thorough reference checks, they are more likely to present accurate and honest information. This rigorous approach demonstrates that your institution values integrity and is committed to hiring the most qualified professionals for the job.
5. Complement the Background Check Process
While background checks verify credentials and confirm employment history, they don’t always provide a full picture of a candidate’s suitability for a role. This is where a reference check service becomes invaluable. Reference checks provide qualitative data that enhances your other background screening processes, such as insights into a candidate’s teaching style, leadership abilities, and overall approach to their work.
Integrating professional reference check services into your overall screening process ensures that you’re not just hiring candidates who meet the technical qualifications, but also those who align with your institution’s values and vision for the future.
Reference checks reveal how candidates handle real-world challenges, offering a more complete assessment than background checks alone.
Contact Barada Associates Today
Utilizing a reference checking service gives your institution peace of mind, knowing that you’re hiring qualified, professional, and reliable staff.
Choose Barada Associates for comprehensive job reference checking services, including employment verification and professional reference checks. Let us help you gain valuable insights into your potential new hires and build a team that supports your institution’s goals. Contact us today to learn more.