Since it often proves impossible to get meaningful references on job applicants, a copy of the last performance review can be an invaluable source of information.
However, before you ask for a copy, I suggest you ask the following questions during the interview:
- Were you given a performance review in your most recent position?
- What did you think of the review and the evaluations you received?
- What action did you take based on your performance review?
- Did you get a copy of that review?
If they have a copy and you are interested in hiring this person, ask them to bring it to the next interview or go ahead make an offer of employment contingent on receiving a copy.
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This was originally published on Mel Kleiman’s Humetrics blog.
I like it. Not only will it quickly weed out anyone prone to lying in interviews(or at least stretching the truth), it also protects against a former employer giving a bad reference because they are annoyed the employee left. Good idea.
I don’t know … you would be evaluating this person on their action from the feedback but also on the skill level of the review writer themselves and I have seen many poorly written reviews that did not accurately portray the skills of the individual.