When do reference checks need to be completed?
- Reference checks for all applicants or for all finalists can be done at any time during a search. The committee may choose to complete reference checks for all short list candidates prior to preliminary screenings via Zoom, or just for the finalists (and alternates) once those have been determined.
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre policy requires reference checks must be completed prior to materials being forwarded for Dean/Provost approval.
- Please communicate your search committee’s timeline for this so that the school APA contact can plan accordingly.
How many references need to be contacted?
- The committee must contact at least three professional references for each candidate/finalist based on the contact information provided in the application materials, and applicants should be notified if references are being contacted beyond those provided.
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📌 NOTE: If the committee wishes to contact references beyond the names provided, be sure to communicate with your candidate group in advance. They should be given an opportunity to provide input on who not to call, if any.
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HIDA’s standard is for the reference checks to be completed via phone call, so please make every effort to conduct in this manner. If needed we can communicate via email and follow-up with a phone call. We cannot accept reference letters in lieu of a conversation.
What do we ask?
- The same basic job-related questions are asked of each reference. You can follow up on statements offered by references to explore what they mean but at minimum, all references should be asked the same questions.
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‼️ REQUIRED: The following question is required and must be included when communicating with each reference:
“Is there any reason you would not hire this person again?”
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How do we record our findings?