AUGUST 2008

It's always been Whitaker's policy to perform two or three professional reference checks on every candidate prior to an in-person visit with our clients.  Many of you may have experienced this first hand.  The process of reference checking is extremely valuable to our clients of course, but it's also valuable to our candidates as well, although many don't make this connection.  One of Whitaker's big "value add" points for both candidate and client are that we perform professional reference checks PRIOR to the candidate coming in for the visit, rather than after the interview but before an offer. 

Let me explain. When the references come into play after the candidate has been in to interview (as most other search firms do) whatever "red flags" or questions that may have come up during the interview now have to be handled via the references, which may or may not address the specific concern.  If the reference checks are done PRIOR to the visit, the client has the opportunity to probe through the references, specific traits or experiences that are special/unique to performing the duties of the job the candidate will interview for.  That way the client has a better "predictor" for how the candidate will likely do in the position based on previous experience history, rather than just interview impression.  Additionally if there are "weaknesses" (and let's face it - we all have them), the client will know those in advance and can probe those either prior to or during the interview.  The advantage to the candidate is that they, too, will be aware of what others think their weaknesses are and they can address those right up front in the interview and deal with them - get them out of the way!  This leaves only a clean slate to impress a potential employer with your strengths and not be worried about what "skeletons" or concerns might come up related to the references after you've already been on the interview and no longer have the opportunity to address first-hand.

We hope you appreciate this example of just one of the many ways Whitaker continues to strive to provide added value to both our clients and our candidates throughout the search process!