Reference Check Templates

Reference Check

Reference checks can be a telling way to vet a candidate and uncover anything you may have missed in the interview process. That said, the best way to conduct a reference check is by having specific topics in mind that you want to cover. Examples below:

• Any flags
• Dates of employment
• Job performance
• Responsibilities
• Rehire status
• Promotions
• Social skills
• Reason for departure

Reference Check Template

Candidate Name:

Name of Reference:

Title of Reference:

Company Name:

(Be sure to obtain the candidate’s permission in advance of checking his/her references.)

1. How do you know XX and for how long?
2. What were XX’s specific duties or responsibilities?
3. What was their ability to function and effectively communicate with a team/management?
4. If I had polled your colleagues, what would they have said he/she was known internally as being the very best on the team for?
5. How would you rank them compared with the rest of the team?
6. What was their main tangible accomplishment during the time you worked together?
7. If I were to read their performance review, what is their biggest opportunity for improvement?
8. If you were to give advice to this person’s future supervisor what would you tell them regarding this individual?
9. Would you rehire them?
10. Is there anything else that would be valuable to know in our hiring decision?

Tip

• Ask follow up questions and probe deeper into answers. The best reference check picks up on subtle clues such as pauses between answers and embellishments.

Emails Templates

Example of what to send to candidates:

Hello ____,

As a next step, would you mind sharing the following references that fit the criteria below?

1. Someone who oversaw and managed your work
2. A recent peer who knows your work well
3. Someone you've coached, managed and helped grow

Please provide their job title/company, how you know them (ideally worked together in the last 1-2 years) and their phone number and email address. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thanks,

Your Name

Example of what to send to references:

Hello ____,

We’re in the final stages with {{CANDIDATE NAME}} for our {{JOB TITLE}} role at {{COMPANY}}. They shared your name as a reference.

We’d appreciate your perspective as it will help to inform our hiring decision. Do you have time to connect on the phone for ~15 minutes, please share any times that would work for you this week, and I’d be happy to schedule a call for us.

Thanks,

Your Name