Hiring the right candidate goes far beyond an impressive resume and a stellar interview performance. For the Olinio recruitment specialists, asking the right reference check questions can make the difference between securing top talent and making a costly hiring mistake.
In this article, we will detail the essential questions that help you gain deeper insights into your candidates and make more informed hiring decisions.
Why Reference Checks Matter in Modern Recruitment
Reference checks aren’t simply a “gotcha” exercise to catch candidates in a fib or exaggeration, but an opportunity to understand the complete picture of who your candidate really is. While interviews showcase how candidates present themselves, reference checks reveal how they actually perform in real work environments.
Reference checks help you:
- Verify the accuracy of information provided during interviews
- Understand a candidate’s work ethic and interpersonal dynamics
- Identify potential red flags or areas of concern
- Gain insights into how a candidate might fit within your organisation’s culture
- Level the playing field for introverted candidates who may undersell their accomplishments
Do Background Checks Show Employment History?
Before diving into questions for reference checks, it’s important to understand what background checks do and don’t reveal. Employment history is typically verified during a background check, but it’s confirmed through employer contacts or databases rather than pulled from one universal list.
Background checks generally confirm factual information like job titles, dates of employment, and sometimes reasons for leaving. However, they don’t include subjective assessments of performance, work style, or interpersonal skills. That’s where reference checks become invaluable.
Essential Reference Check Questions to Ask
The best typical reference check questions combine factual verification with deeper insights into candidate performance and character. Here are the key questions organised by category:
Employment Verification Questions
Start your reference check by confirming basic facts:
- Can you confirm the candidate’s job title and dates of employment?
- What were their primary responsibilities in this role?
- Can you verify the salary range or compensation level?
- What was the reason for their departure from the company?
Performance and Skills Assessment Questions
Asking targeted reference check questions enables an employer to get a more complete picture of a candidate’s career and experience. These questions to ask references dig deeper into actual performance:
- What were the candidate’s greatest strengths in their role?
- Can you describe a significant accomplishment they achieved while working with you?
- How did their performance compare to their peers?
- What areas would you identify as opportunities for professional development?
- On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate their overall job performance?
Work Style and Cultural Fit Questions
Understanding how a candidate operates day-to-day is crucial:
- How would you describe the candidate’s work ethic and attitude?
- Can you share an example of how they handled a challenging situation or conflict?
- What type of work environment do you think they’d thrive in?
- How well did they collaborate with team members and other departments?
- Were they reliable in meeting deadlines and commitments?
Leadership and Management Questions (for senior roles)
For leadership positions, ask these targeted questions:
- How would you describe their management or leadership style?
- Can you provide an example of how they motivated or developed their team members?
- How did they handle giving feedback or managing underperformers?
- What kind of leader or manager brings out the best in this candidate?
The Rehire Question
One of the most telling questions is: “If the opportunity arose, would you rehire this employee? Why or why not?” The answer, and any hesitation before it, can reveal volumes about the candidate’s true impact.
Best Practices for Conducting Reference Checks
Asking the right questions is only half the battle. Here’s how to conduct reference checks that yield genuine insights:
Conduct checks via phone, not email: You miss out on tone and inflexion when using email and can easily misinterpret content. Phone conversations reveal enthusiasm, hesitation, and nuanced perspectives that written responses can’t capture.
Start with easier questions: Build rapport by beginning with straightforward questions about employment dates and job title before moving into more substantive topics.
Listen for what’s not said: Pay attention to pauses, vague responses, or references that seem reluctant to elaborate. These can be as informative as direct answers.
Take detailed notes: Document the conversation thoroughly for comparison across multiple candidates and future reference.
Ask open-ended questions: Rather than questions that elicit yes/no answers, frame questions that encourage references to share specific examples and detailed insights.
Request additional references when needed: If a provided reference doesn’t offer sufficient information or didn’t work closely enough with the candidate, don’t hesitate to ask for another contact who can provide a different perspective.
What Not to Ask During Reference Checks
While gathering information is important, certain reference check questions cross legal and ethical boundaries:
- Questions about age, marital status, or family plans
- Religious beliefs or affiliations
- Medical history or disabilities
- Sexual orientation or gender identity
- Pregnancy or childcare arrangements
These and other personal topics could indicate your intent to choose a candidate based on unlawful hiring practices. Keep all questions job-related and relevant to performance.
Let Olinio Handle Your Reference Checks and Beyond
All the steps above take time and expertise in identifying not just what the respondent says, but especially what they are holding back. You are already busy keeping your business going and staying ahead of competitors.
That’s where Olinio comes in.
Our experienced recruiters know how to vet candidates through professional reference checks, employment verification, and skills assessment. We know exactly which typical reference check questions to ask and how to read between the lines to uncover the insights you need.
Ready to streamline your hiring process and secure top talent? Let Olinio handle your entire recruitment journey, from initial outreach to final reference verification. Contact us today to learn how our expert team can help you build a high-performing workforce without the hiring headaches.