The Real Reference check: Backchanneling
Have you made it to the point where a potential employer has asked for your professional references?
If you answered yes, great work, that means you are likely getting an offer! Woohoo!
But don't be fooled by these reference checks. Employers know that you've given them a list of your favorite previous managers or co-workers who will likely speak highly of you.
Have you heard of backchanneling?
Let me explain.
Backchanneling is when someone on the hiring team reaches out to your former colleagues and bosses to ask about you and your work.
They will do this without telling you they are doing it. 😱
Just so you know, it happens more often than you might realize.
Don't get it twisted, managers talk to each other, especially with other managers in their network.
It sounds sneaky, I know, but people want to hear the unfiltered version of what it's like to work with you.
Trust me there's no need to freak out. Backchanneling is a common practice.
I've personally been on both sides of it.
People have asked me about past coworkers, and I've been in hiring processes where the hiring manager reached out to my past employers without telling me.
And I have to tell you, it didn't bother me.
I think sleuthing and doing due diligence before taking an offer makes sense for both the candidate and the employer.
Plus I've always been a top-performing employee, which helps when this happens. 😉
How to stay ahead of backchanneling to remain a top candidate:
Mind your current reputation: I always tell everyone the two most important things at work are 1) that you are good at your job and 2) that people like you. But I don't mean you are just kinda good at your job and your coworkers tolerate you. I mean you should aim to be stellar and build relationships with coworkers who will rave about you. It goes without saying (hopefully) but it's important to always remain professional and have strong integrity at work. Be mindful of your present work relationships because the reputation you have today will matter later in your career.
Build your network: Let's face it, there's no way around people backchanneling on you. It's the facts. But building a network of colleagues who can speak to your strengths will help. Do some research and figure out if you and the interviewer have any mutual connections. Know that these people are likely the hiring manager's go-to choice for a backchannel reference. You can be proactive and reach out to these shared connections and mention you are interviewing and recently spoke with a mutual connection in case they are asked about you.
Remember the bigger picture. You've made it to this stage in the interview process for a reason. The company is excited about you and you're likely one of their top candidates.
Don't let the thought of backchanneling and reference checks stress you out.
Also, you can (and should) backchannel the potential employer.
Reach out to others at the company who are not in the hiring process, and set up calls with them so you can hear what it's really like to work there!
Backchanneling can work both ways. 😎
Want to learn how to get more interviews?
Check out the BE YOUR OWN RECRUITER workbook where I lay out the entire job search system that has helped my clients get offers in 4-6 weeks.
