While You Were Working

Updates and announcements from the UND Office of Human Resources

Checking Candidate References

Before extending a soft offer to a candidate, it’s crucial to conduct a reference check to gain a comprehensive understanding of the candidate’s qualifications and work history. HR offers various methods for contacting references to accommodate your preferences.

  1. Electronic Reference Check via PageUp
    PageUp (recruiting ATS), provides an electronic reference check option. You can send a reference request directly to the contacts listed by the candidate on their application. Detailed instructions for initiating this process are available here.
  2. Telephone Reference Check
    If you prefer a more personal approach, you can contact references via phone. Consider asking the following questions to obtain valuable insights:

    • How do you know the candidate?
    • How would you evaluate the quality of their work?
    • What specific strengths has the candidate demonstrated in their previous roles?
    • In what ways do you think the candidate is well-suited for this position?
    • Would you hire or rehire this candidate if the opportunity arose?
  3. Current UND Employees
    For candidates who are currently employed at UND, it is required to review their employee file. This involves reviewing previous performance evaluations and other relevant records. Please coordinate with your Divisional HR Manager to facilitate this review.

By thoroughly checking references, you will ensure a well-rounded assessment of the candidate’s suitability for the position.