LESSON 3 OF 6 · BEGINNER
Evaluate source quality
Record where a fact came from, when it was observed and whether it is current. A company biography, professional post and third-party directory may disagree. Prefer an appropriate primary source and confirm uncertain details with the candidate. Search results are leads for investigation, not a verified résumé.
Create a fact-versus-inference note from two conflicting public sources.
About 2 minutes reading + 12 minutes practice. Take longer when needed.
Apply the method
Create a source-quality ladder for the specific fact you need. A person’s current professional profile may help establish role context, while an official credentialing source is needed for a regulated credential. Record date and provenance. When sources conflict, preserve the conflict and use neutral wording until the candidate or appropriate authority clarifies it. Do not treat search snippets as a verified employment history. Keep professional relevance central and avoid searching personal social content merely because it is available. The aim is better questions, not an unreviewed dossier.
A worked application
Fictional example: A company biography lists an engineer as a senior developer, while a recent professional post describes a management role. The researcher does not infer a promotion date or dissatisfaction. The outreach asks about the person’s current focus. For a role requiring a specific professional license, the organization follows its authorized verification process rather than relying on either profile.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not allow a confident third-party directory entry to erase uncertainty. Confidence of presentation is not evidence of currency or authority.
Work through the case
FICTIONAL SCENARIO
A directory lists someone at a former company while their recent professional profile shows a new role. Do not personalize outreach around the outdated employer.
Make it practical
Create a fact-versus-inference note from two conflicting public sources.
Compare your reasoning with a worked response
Preserve both sources, mark the conflict and use neutral language until confirmed. Never convert a guess into a confident claim.
Takeaway
Use the method to explain your decision, identify what you still need to verify and choose an accountable next step.
Treat the response as a model for reasoning, not the only possible wording. Adapt it to the role, evidence and appropriate organizational guidance.