Reference checking is required for all benefit-eligible staff and faculty positions at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). This includes internal employees transferring to new positions at the university, as well as external applications. Reference checking must also be completed for those hired through the recruiting waiver process. Proof of reference checking will be required before a job offer will be approved by UMSL Human Resources.
Checking external and internal candidates' references is an important step of the selection process. Through references, hiring managers can get different perspectives of what to expect from a potential new employee, and important details that were not captured during interviews can be brought to light.
Benefit-Eligible Staff
All reference checks for benefit-eligible staff will be administered through SkillSurvey, an online reference checking service. Hiring managers may conduct additional reference checking in connection will SkillSurvey if they so choose. To request a reference check, please send the candidate name(s), email address, Job ID, and whether internal or external, to UMSL HR at employment@umsl.edu.
Benefit-Eligible Faculty
Reference checks for benefit-eligible faculty may be administered through SkillSurvey. Per Academic Affairs, reference checks are a two-way communication (preferably by phone) and should be documented on the Academic Reference Checking form Note that reference letters are not considered a reference check.
FAQS:
Q: At what point do I request a reference check?
A: UMSL HR recommends doing this early -prior to the finalist interviews- so that you may use the data to inform your hiring decision. At a minimum, the reference check must be completed prior to verbal offer. If you have made your decision, it is time to order the reference check before informing the selected candidate.
Q: How do I order a reference check?
A: The hiring teams sends a Reference Request to UMSL HR at employment@umsl.edu which includes:
Q: How many references are required?
A: SkillSurvey will prompt candidates to enter five (5) references. The candidate must enter all five to proceed. However, the reference check can be finalized so long as two (2) references respond, and at least one manager. References may include: managers for part- or full-time employment, team leads, volunteer coordinators, professors, teaching assistants (TAs) who oversaw your research, team members, etc.
Q: How long does the SkillSurvey reference checking process take?
A: It depends on how quickly references respond to the request. Most references respond in less than one business day. We would expect the reference check process to be completed within 3-5 business days, but it almost always completed earlier than that.
Q: The candidates I am interviewing do not regularly use a computer. What are my options?
A: Please contact employment@umsl.edu with your request for an alternative reference checking method.
Q: I have a question about the academic reference checking process. Who should I contact?
A: Please contact Academic Affairs.
Q: How should I communicate the SkillSurvey process to the candidate?
A: You can share this summary and instructions:
We will be conducting reference checks with SkillSurvey, who will compile and ensure confidentiality of your reference materials. The Hiring Manger will then use the SkillSurvey results together with the interviews and other materials to inform the hiring decision.
Here is the general SkillSurvey process that you can expect:
