Checking references
- Get permission first from the candidate, preferably in writing, to contact the people who supplied references, or who are listed on the CV as potential referees.
- Don’t contact an existing employer without the applicant’s permission, because the employer may not know that the candidate is looking for another job.
Sample questions to ask referees
Start by asking referees to confirm the start and end dates of employment, and check the job title and job description matches what the candidate has written on their CV.
- What were the person’s achievements at work?
- Describe the job responsibilities.
- Is the person a team player?
- How did the person handle conflict/stress/pressure?
- How much supervision did the person need?
- Were there any issues, such as lateness or absenteeism?
