Human resource management practice I also available by michael armstrong

Provisional offers and 

obtaining references

After  the  interviewing  and  testing  procedure  has 

been completed, a provisional decision to make an 

offer by telephone or in writing can be made. This is 

normally ‘subject to satisfactory references’ and the 

candidate should, of course, be told that these will 

be taken up. If there is more than one eligible candi-

date for a job it may be advisable to hold one or 

two  people  in  reserve. Applicants  often  withdraw, 

especially those whose only purpose in applying for 

the job was to carry out a ‘test marketing’ opera-

tion,  or  to  obtain  a  lever  with  which  to  persuade 

their present employers to value them more highly.

The main purpose of a reference is to obtain in 

confidence factual information about a prospective 

employee. This information is straightforward and 

essential. It is necessary to confirm the nature of the 

previous job, the period of time in employment, the 

reason for leaving (if relevant), the salary or rate of 

pay and, possibly, the attendance record.

Opinions about character, competence, perform-

ance  and  suitability  are  unreliable.  Referees  are  

reluctant to commit themselves and they are not in 

any position to assess suitability – only the prospec-

tive employer can do that. Personal referees are, of 

course,  entirely  useless.  All  they  prove  is  that  the 

applicant has at least one or two friends.

A  written  request  for  a  reference  could  simply 

ask  the  previous  employer  to  confirm  the  candi-

date’s  employment  record.  More  precise  answers 

may be obtained if a standard form is provided for 

the employer to complete. The questions asked on 

this form should be limited to the following:

 

●

What was the period of employment?

 

●

What was the job title?

 

●

What work was carried out?

 

●

What was the rate of pay or salary?

 

●

How many days’ absence were there  

over the last 12 months?

 

●

Would you re-employ (if not, why not)?

The  last  question  is  important,  if  it  is  answered  

honestly.

Telephone references may save time and may be 

more reliable. They can be used as an alternative or in 

addition to written references. Ask factual questions 

only and keep a record of the conversation.