Reference checks are sometimes seen as routine, but when approached thoughtfully, they can reveal far more than a simple confirmation of employment. By asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insight into how a candidate performs day to day. A well-structured reference check is one of the most effective ways to understand a candidate beyond the interview and to make better hiring decisions as a result.
Used well, reference checks add depth to what you’ve already learned through your interview process. They can confirm your instincts, highlight development areas, and even uncover strengths or behaviours that you haven’t already identified. Here’s how to get real value from your reference checks.
Look for patterns, not isolated comments
CVs and interviews show moments in time; references provide context. You’re looking for patterns across referees, consistent themes about how someone works, communicates, and contributes. A single comment doesn’t define a candidate, but repeated insights will give you a fuller picture.
Ask questions that reveal working style
Generic questions like “Would you rehire them?” don’t tell you much. Instead, ask open questions that uncover how the candidate operates: What environment brings out their best work? How did they handle pressure or competing priorities? These questions often reveal what support they’ll need to thrive.
Use references to plan for success
A good conversation with a relevant referee helps you understand how someone learns, adapts, and responds to feedback. This information will help you ensure your new person is set up for success throughout your onboarding process. Reference feedback also gives managers useful insight into how to support and motivate a new team member from day one.
Confirm alignment with your business
Every candidate brings a unique mix of strengths and working styles. Reference checks help you understand how those qualities will fit within your team and culture, and understand the alignment with your organisation.
Our favourite reference questions for real insight
Reference checks are most valuable when they move beyond surface-level confirmations. Thoughtful questions prompt richer, more revealing answers. Here are a few of our favourites:
- What kind of environment brings out their best work?
- How did they handle pressure or competing priorities?
- What feedback helped them develop most?
- How did they contribute to the team culture?
- If you could have supported them differently, what would you have done?
The real value of reference checks lies in what they add to the decision-making process. They bring depth, context, and confidence, helping you move beyond assumptions and build a clearer picture of the person you’re about to hire.
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