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A reference check is a crucial part of the hiring process, where an employer contacts previous employers or other references provided by a candidate to gather insights about the candidate's work history, performance, and behavioral traits. This process helps employers verify information on applications and resumes, ensuring that they make informed decisions based on the candidate's capabilities and character as reflected in their past work experiences.

In this context, option C accurately describes the essence of a reference check, which is to collect anecdotal and factual data regarding how the candidate performed in their previous roles. It provides valuable insights that can indicate a candidate's reliability, strengths, and areas for improvement, which are essential for assessing their suitability for a new position.

Other options address different aspects of the hiring process but do not reflect the nature of a reference check. Assessing technical skills, conducting background verifications of educational qualifications, or reviewing the formatting of a resume are all distinct processes that serve different purposes in the hiring workflow. These elements are important in their own rights, but they do not capture the role of reference checks in evaluating a candidate's prior employment experiences and behaviors.