The DSC should conduct reference checks at the end of the evaluation process before making an offer of appointment (however, these may be conducted after semi-finalist interviews). It is a good practice to let the candidate know you are conducting reference checks before making the calls. Only contact individuals on the candidate’s reference list. Reference checks should be done with a minimum of two committee members. A good practice is to divide the references for a single candidate into separate committee members to guard against bias.

While highly discouraged, it’s possible that someone may use the internet to develop background information on a candidate. In this case, it is important to guard against mistaken identity. Be cautious of similar names and inaccurate data. Avoid second-hand information and avoid reliance on a single reference. (See Appendix D for more recommendations).