Okuzeka
Human Resources vocabulary · Recruitment & Hiring

Reference check

Meaning in human resources, with examples

nounCommon term

In human resources, reference check means: Contacting a candidate's former managers or other people they name, to confirm their work history and ask about their skills and behaviour.

In Turkish: referans kontrolü

How it is used

Usually done at the end of the process, often after a conditional offer. Candidates name their referees. A reference may be short and factual (dates and job title) or a detailed opinion.

Example sentences

  1. We'll do the reference checks once she accepts the offer.

  2. The reference check confirmed his dates of employment but nothing more.

Common collocations

  • carry out reference checks
  • pass a reference check
  • reference check form
  • provide a reference
  • background checkA check of a candidate's history before they are hired, which can include criminal records, qualifications, identity and previous jobs.
  • job offerA formal message from an employer telling a candidate that they have got the job, with the main terms such as pay, start date and job title.
  • candidateA person who is being considered for a job, for example because they have applied or because a recruiter has contacted them.
  • screeningThe first stage of checking applicants to see whether they meet the basic requirements for a job, before deciding who to interview.

More terms: Recruitment & Hiring

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