When it comes to recruiting many employers get nervous about finding the right person. If you employ someone and are not happy with their performance then it can be quite hard to be able to dismiss them. Ideally when looking for a candidate you want to give yourself time to process applications and carry out in depth interviews. This will allow you to get a bit of an insight in to the person and how they conduct themselves. You should always ask for references and make sure you follow them up. Many companies ask for references but then do not get in touch with previous employers. Always be sure to ring at least two and ideally through company numbers not mobiles so you can ensure you are speaking to the right person. If you have been asked not to contact references prior to offering the job to the applicant as they are their current employer, then ask for a prior employer or offer them a job on a conditional basis that will be confirmed once all references have been completed.
Do not just look at a person’s skill set on paper, take a bit of time to try and work out their personality and ask questions that may give you a bit of an insight in to how they work.