Final answer:
Employers typically focus on a) work experience, c) educational background, and accolades during reference checks to assess a candidate's potential on job performance and personal attributes like work ethic and energy level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The focus of reference checking for a potential employer usually includes a candidate's work experience, educational background, and any awards, honors, or scholarships received. Employers may also be interested in a candidate's involvement with affiliations such as clubs, professional or student organizations, and community service. These checks help them gauge a candidate's hard work, perseverance, ability, energy level, and work ethic.
Employers face a challenge due to asymmetric information in the labor market and often use educational qualifications like a degree from a particular school or institution as a preliminary screening mechanism. They view a candidate's accolades and academic performance as indicators of their potential performance in the workplace. Finally, references are sought for additional insights into the candidate's professional demeanor and personal attributes, which can be difficult to ascertain from resumes alone.