Reference checking via app reaches out into the world

Believe it or not, recruiters no longer need to waste time chasing references. Talentwise has developed an app, Refapp, that does the job. Well, almost. The app originally targeted the recruitment and staffing industry, but is now used by an increasing number of companies as well as municipalities and regions. It saves a lot of time and money.

Chasing references by email or phone takes time, because those people need to set aside time to talk about a candidate's strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, referees can be difficult to get hold of, which is frustrating. Anyone who has ever recruited staff knows the problem, says Per Bergland, Chief Technology Officer at Talentwise.

Now there is a new opportunity: The person recruiting can send out a message via computer. After a short explanatory text stating who is recruiting and who the candidate is, a number of questions about the candidate follow. These deal with, for example, efficiency and accuracy. The answers result in a report with compiled assessments based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative answers. The respondent, the referee, can fill in their answers at their leisure whenever it suits them without having to feel rushed.

Many companies, though especially the largest ones of course, recruit worldwide. We have reached 300,000 reference checks per year. This means that the texts in the app have to be translated into many languages, and for that we have enlisted the help of Språkbolaget, says Per Bergland.

Linguistic challenges

The special thing about the translation assignment is that the tone of voice in the app is so important. The person acting as a reference must find the text pleasant to read in order to feel encouraged to provide their answers. Many of the texts are standardised, but they must not seem that way. They still need to feel personal and pleasant.

Some large HR departments want to add their own questions, and they are welcome to do so. However, most notice that our standard questions work well, says Per Bergland.

It might seem easiest to send everything out in English, but Per Bergland argues that this often does not work. In countries such as France, Spain, Italy and Germany, recruiters definitely want to send the questions out in the country's own language, as it increases the chance of the referees replying. And since the texts are standardised, certain problems immediately arise – how do you handle feminine and masculine forms, which naturally differ depending on who receives the questions and who the candidate is? How should dates be written?

I have taught myself loads. Such as that in Italy there is a shift towards the informal 'tu', but it can still be a good idea to use the formal 'lei' in texts – for now. In Spanish it is fine to use the masculine form if you are unsure whether you are addressing a man or a woman. And in German you can input both forms, says Per Bergland.

Speechless

Per Bergland is clearly amused by language himself and finds the collaboration with Språkbolaget fun and rewarding – he learns a little about every language. He sees that the translators often hit the right tone, which is confirmed for him when new language versions are tested on certain customers.

When questions arise regarding the translations, we have noticed that the translators are often right. They understand the context in the various countries. Such as how the word ”tjänst” cannot always be used as broadly as in Sweden. In Spain, for example, different words are used for ”tjänst” depending on where one is in the business hierarchy, says he.

Per Bergland also appreciates that the cooperation with Språkbolaget is smooth. Excel files are sent back and forth quickly and the first translations, into German, Italian and Spanish, were completed in a first version in just two weeks.

It helps that there is a project manager who harmonises the work. And even though we do not meet very often, I like that Språkbolaget is here in Gothenburg, where our head office is also located

Now Refapp is going global. Offices already exist in Sweden, Norway and Ireland. Then the US might be next. In the long term, Per Bergland hopes that Refapp will transform the recruitment process, making reference checking an even more important element. Valuable information is gathered via the app and can be put to good use. And he believes that recruiters in the future will conduct reference checks earlier in the process. That is, before the candidate interview, instead of as today, when everything is almost finalised and reference checking is merely a final check.

© Språkbolaget, 2021
Published: 2021-06-11
Ingrid Hagdahl