Final answer:
Consulting references and peer ratings are part of the recruitment process aimed at predicting future behavior of applicants based on their past behavior, academic achievements, and perceived work ethic.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the recruitment process, consulting references or peer group ratings are methods that may help in determining an applicant's suitability based on predictions of future behavior. This takes into consideration past behavior, as it is often an indicator of how the applicant may perform in the future.
Employers aim to gather as much information as possible to make informed hiring decisions to avoid the risk of hiring a poor-quality employee or 'lemon'. Greta's example illustrates how an employer might use academic and work history, degrees, awards, grade point averages, and references to screen for attributes like motivation, timeliness, and the ability to get along with others.
These methods act as a pre-screening tool, and references especially can provide insights into an applicant's energy level, work ethic, and other soft skills. Interviews, observation, and surveys, including the utilization of trade schools and colleges, reinforce the information gathered. While methods like 360-degree feedback can be problematic, any discrepancies can be valuable learning opportunities and facilitate discussions about performance.