3.1 Radical Rewrite: Improving a Message About CheckingReferences
Your Task. Analyze the following e-mail to be sent by the vicepresident of human resources to all managers:
- Step 1: Identify five or more weaknesses describing why each isa weakness. In addition to grammar faults, pay special attention todangling modifiers, parallelism, and passive voice.
- Step 2: Revise this e-mail so that it reflects writingtechniques you learned in this and previous chapters.
To: AllManagers
From: MarkSanchez
Subject: Improving Reference-Checking Procedures
With our recent increase in hiring, many of you are reviewingcandidates’ applications and their references are being checked.Our CEO has asked me to provide all managers with guidance on howto check references to obtain the best information.
Generally, the two ways to check references are by calling or tomake an inquiry by writing. Calling is preferred because itseasier, can be done more quickly, and calling can reveal more. Themain advantage of calling is that people will often provide morevaluable information over the phone then they would in writing.However writing does provide stronger documentation. Which can beused to prove that you did your homework. References from formeremployers are likely to be more valuable than personal references,and can help avoid negligent hiring claims. Educational referencesshould also checked when necessary
When calling to check references, several important steps shouldbe followed to obtain the best information:
- Call once to schedule the reference check, then call back whenyou said you would.
- Plenty of time for the call should be allotted.
- Ask only about job-related information, do not askinappropriate questions.
- Good notes should be taken, especially in relation to thecandidate’s former employment.
- At the end, you should summarize and thank the reference forthe information.
By following these guidelines, meaningful information can beobtained that will help you make the best hiring decisions.
Mark
Vice President, Human Resources | mark.sanchez@zycamindustries |Office: 455-390-5539 | Cell: 455-290-9760
