An interview candiate- the employment history doesn't checkout- help!!?

Hello

I own a very small business and have just found what seems to be the ideal candidate for the job, although I am a bit concerned

From Feb 2005-June 2007 he claims to have worked for a company which has now closed down. I have searched exhaustivley the internet with the comapny name and nothing appears. He has given me contact details for his former boss at this company and has said that his boss is now travelling. His email address is a yahoo one, and although he seems very genuine, i want to check him out fully- how can i find out if that company ever existed and employed his and his boss and if she was made redundant? The job is very responsible so i dont want anyone that was sacked, and trying to hide it.

All of his other references check out fine.

PS I cannot afford to use a formal referencing agency

May be worth checking companies house website, this should allow you to check company details in england and wales, including dissolved businesses...

In the unlikely event that you cannot trace the company, ask him for an explanation and perhaps seek reference from employment prior to that and perhaps personal references from a person of an upstanding position within society, (similar to the people eligible to endorse passport photographs).

Dont bother. Get someone else.

I'm not sure if this is the answer you're looking for, but I figured I'd toss it out there anyway. There is a really good book available for pretty cheap (very likely at your local library, even) called "Never Be Lied To Again," by David Lieberman (I believe). The title is a little cheesy, but it's a really good book that prides itself in it's ability to teach readers to get the truth within 5 minutes of any conversation. It's a very quick, interesting read, and I believe that it lives up to it's claim.

It provides good examples of key questions that would have a liar squirming with discomfort, when a person who is being truthful would remain at ease.