Themes discussed

• The problem with traditional references: Why phone-based checks are time-consuming, subjective, and hard to compare.
• Research vs. practice: Why meta-analyses don’t always reflect reality and why managers still insist on references.
• Digitalization & structure: How Refapp brings consistency, fairness, and efficiency to reference checking.
• Bias & honesty: How written, standardized questions increase truthfulness and comparability.
• The business case: Time savings per candidate and the massive impact this has in large-scale recruitment.
• Flexibility vs. best practice: Balancing client customization with evidence-based design.
• Counterproductive behaviors: Using new question sets to identify potential risks and red flags.
• International differences: How reference checking varies between Sweden, the UK, the US, and Australia.
• Future challenges: AI-generated CVs, authenticity, and the need for verification in hiring.
• Personal insights: David’s background in choir singing and what it taught him about teamwork, culture, and joy.

Key takeaways

• Reference checks remain widely used but need structure to be valid and useful.
• Digitalization can transform reference checking into a reliable, evidence-based datapoint in recruitment.
• The biggest barrier is not technology, but changing recruiter and manager behavior.
• Measuring counterproductive behaviors adds real value in avoiding costly mis-hires.
• Global adoption requires adapting to local cultures and legal frameworks.
• In an AI-driven world, authenticity and verification will be central to trustworthy recruitment.

Shownotes

[00:00] – Introduction: Kristoffer welcomes guest David Näsström and sets up the topic.
[04:30] – From staffing to HR tech: David’s background and the spark behind Refapp.
[09:00] – Traditional reference checks: Why the old system frustrates recruiters.
[13:00] – Early adoption: Resistance, behavioral change, and first client results.
[20:00] – Research vs. reality: Why structured data is key for validity.
[28:00] – Product evolution: From simple surveys to research-backed insights.
[37:00] – Counterproductive behaviors: Capturing risk factors that matter.
[45:00] – International perspectives: How practices differ across markets.
[53:00] – GDPR & compliance: How digital tools solve data and legal issues.
[58:00] – The future of reference checking: AI, authenticity, and verification.
[01:05:00] – Wrap-up: Reflections on people, culture, and the future of HR.

‍