Since it often proves impossible to get meaningful references on job applicants, a copy of the last performance review can be an invaluable source of information.
However, before you ask for a copy, I suggest you ask the following questions during the interview:
- Were you given a performance review in your most recent position?
- What did you think of the review and the evaluations you received?
- What action did you take based on your performance review?
- Did you get a copy of that review?
If they have a copy and you are interested in hiring this person, ask them to bring it to the next interview or go ahead make an offer of employment contingent on receiving a copy.
This was originally published on Mel Kleiman’s Humetrics blog.