When an HR manager requests employment references from a candidate, what type of information are they gathering?

When an HR manager requests employment references from a candidate, they are primarily gathering factual information. This type of information includes specific, objective details about the candidate’s previous employment, skills, job performance, and overall suitability for the role they are applying for.

Factual information is critical in the hiring process as it helps the HR manager verify claims made by the candidate in their application or during interviews. It ensures that the hiring decision is based on accurate and reliable data, which can significantly contribute to finding the right fit for the organization.

While personal information, experience information, and general information may also be collected during the recruitment process, they do not specifically address the confirmation of concrete facts about the candidate's past employment behavior and professional qualifications, which is the primary focus when obtaining references. Thus, the request for references aims at confirming or clarifying specific facts related to the candidate's work history.