Learn about the candidate's skills and strengths from someone other than the candidate. Gather information about the candidate's job performance in previous positions to predict their success in your company. It is your responsibility to ask a job candidate for a list of professional references. Remember that the people on a job candidate's referral list are the people they want you to contact, but if you know someone else to call, don't hesitate to contact that person.
It's usually easier to trust someone than to know than to trust the word of someone you've never met. For a hiring manager, a solid reference interview can also give you an enormous advantage in managing a new employee. You never know when you might need to check your grades when evaluating the candidate for a potential hire, so don't miss this important step.