How do you run a reference check that gives useful information?
What the interviewer wants to hear
- Get candidate consent and suitable referees
- Verify the referee's identity and relationship
- Ask structured, job-related questions
- Probe for specific examples and development areas
- Document and use findings fairly
Model answer
I get the candidate's consent and ask for referees who actually managed or worked closely with them, ideally a recent manager. I verify the referee through their company email or LinkedIn so I know the reference is genuine. My questions are structured and linked to the role's competencies: how they worked, specific examples of strengths, where they needed support and whether the referee would hire them again. Open questions like "What would help them succeed in their first three months?" get more honest answers than "Were they good?". I listen for hesitation as well as words, and I compare findings with interview evidence. I record notes factually in the ATS, and if something concerning comes up, I discuss it with the candidate before any decision.
Can you answer it under time pressure?
Take a timed medium round and get scored on every answer.
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