Manager's Toolkit Background Checks & References

Following the tentative decision on the candidate to hire, Human Resources assists the hiring team to conduct reference checks to complete the screening process.  

No one has more of a vested interest in the applicant’s success or failure than the hiring manager and no one better knows what it will take for the candidate to be successful.

Therefore, it is to the benefit of the hiring manager to personally conduct reference checking phone calls, and for consistency, managers must check at least two professional references for each candidate they are attempting to hire.  On occasion, former employers are unwilling to provide details about a person’s work history.   However, it is our policy that every effort will be made to obtain meaningful references prior to extending an offer of employment.  Often, the only external window on a candidate’s job performance is the first-hand observations of a former supervisor. Human Resources is available to provide support and training for this specialized type of interview.

Background investigating represents a critical part of the hiring process because negligent hiring could put the college in jeopardy, such as negligent hiring. The background check typically takes between 7-10 business days. Background checks are performed after our offer has been accepted. Offers are contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Employees may not begin working at Westmont until the background check is completed, per College policy.

References Resources

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