How Should I Approach Candidate References About Job Changes? Seeking Advice!

Dear Seniors,

We are taking 1-2 references from the candidates who are coming for the interview for a particular opening. I have a long list of references. I need to call these references and ask them if they are looking for any change in their work profile. Please let me know how I should approach these references?

To the best of my knowledge, references are provided by candidates to enhance their chances of recruitment. If you need to know anything about the candidate, you can have the verification done. It is the candidate’s responsibility to inform the references in advance so that they are aware of it and also the context.

Now, if I have understood you correctly, you have a database of references with you, and you are going to ask the references if they wish to have any change in their profile. This is a very delicate situation. It should not become another unwanted commercial call.

As you know, the references gave their particulars for a specific purpose as explained.

What if a reference retorts? If someone asks from where you got the contact particulars, will you tell the truth? You must know how to respect their privacy. Instead of calling, you can send a small mail very courteously made. It can still have repercussions if the reference has no inclination to your proposal or inquiry.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan