Why checking references is non-negotiable
You found the perfect candidate to run your new restaurant, someone with an incredible resume and equally impressive accomplishments that demonstrate their skills and track record. In interviews, they have proven to be insightful and competent. You are confident they would be a fantastic addition to your F&B team and you are ready to hire. Great success story right?
When it comes to executive search in hospitality, there is one part of the hiring process that often seems overlooked: checking references. This part, mostly the final step, is actually essential and beneficial to complete the total candidate profile. While reference checks are sometimes treated as a formality or skipped to save time, they can actually be the difference between a successful hire and a costly mismatch.
Here’s why we believe every search should include a reference check!
1: The human factor: determine if the candidate is the right fit
In our hospitality sector, cultural fit can make or break the team. Checking references helps to assess if the candidate matches the cultural fit as it can reveal a lot about the candidate’s work style, adaptability and values when asking the right questions.
Focus on the qualities that drive your organization for the best outcome. These are topics that are important to your company culture such as collaboration, communication style, integrity or innovation. For example, if your food & beverage department relies on effective communication, a reference check can offer insights into how the candidate has approached dealing with multiple stakeholders and how the candidate aligned and inspired others.
2: Validating experience and achievements
Checking references offers a way to confirm a potential hire’s experience and achievements to be true. Resumes and interviews provide insights into someone’s background and skills, but former managers can give specific examples of their performance. These examples show how a candidate leads and manages, and also how they approach conflict.
Insights that are invaluable for assessing whether the candidate is truly the right fit. Validating their experience will help you to be assured that their track record aligns with the demands and expectations of the role. A reference check does not only confirm the candidate’s stated achievements, but also provides a clearer picture of how they apply their skills in real-world situations.
3: Identify potential risks
In the fast world of hospitality, reference checks can play a crucial role in uncovering potential risks that are not directly visible on a resume or in interviews. Even the most qualified candidates can have areas of high concern, whether it’s difficulties in managing teams, challenges in handling pressure or concerned behavior. Speaking with former managers helps you gather insights into any red flags that might impact the candidate’s ability to succeed in your hotel or restaurant.
Identifying risks upfront, big and small, helps you make well-informed hiring decisions and down the line will be cost-effective resulting in long-term success. Reference checks will help predict future performance by being able to foresee their potential success in their role ahead. However, you are also better equipped to foresee potential challenges which is just as important.
So what is your point of view on reference checks? Is it also non-negotiable in your organization? We are curious to hear about your past experience and how this final step has impacted your hiring decisions. Whether it has helped confirm a strong hire or helped avoid a costly mismatch, we are eager to hear your insights!
