Poor hiring decisions have huge direct and hidden costs – aside from the time and money invested in attracting talent, the impact of a poor fit affects productivity, morale and collaboration. One of the best sources of discerning information about candidates comes from speaking with references before making a final offer. However, a lot of hiring managers throw up their hands and seem to be resigned to the “fact” that you can’t get good reference information any more. Yes, it’s harder to find solid references and some people will just flat out refuse, but it’s possible to do so. Believe me, it’s worth the effort. ... read more