why professional references matter in hiring.

Professional references play a crucial role in the hiring process, yet many companies don’t fully tap into their potential. In a competitive job market, making the right choice the first time saves you time and money. Conducting thorough reference checks can help ensure you’re bringing on someone whose qualifications, work ethic and professional abilities are a perfect match for your company.

A good professional reference can give you valuable insights into a candidate’s performance, strengths and even their fit with your team. Keep reading to find out what makes a great professional reference and how you can use this tool effectively before making a job offer.

what are professional references?

A professional reference is feedback provided by a candidate's former colleagues, managers or professors. This process typically occurs at the end of the recruitment cycle and involves gathering information about the candidate’s work history, job titles and professional abilities. The candidate will provide a list of job references, which usually includes people they’ve worked closely with, such as a former boss or a trusted co-worker.

To get the most out of the reference-checking process, it’s important to ask the right questions. You’ll want to find out how the candidate handles deadlines, deals with stress and works in a team environment. For example, you could ask, “How would you describe the candidate’s work ethic?” or “Can you share an example of how they managed a project under pressure?”

why are reference checks important?

By conducting reference checks, you can:

obtain the information you need

Professional references can be one of the best ways to gather work-related details about an applicant. In fact, other than the candidates themselves, professional references are often the only way to get firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s on-the-job skills and performance. Asking the right questions during the reference check can reveal a lot, like the candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, ability to meet deadlines and willingness to learn. This information is essential in determining if the candidate’s qualifications and professional abilities are the right fit for the role.

determine job fit

Having the right skills is just one piece of the puzzle. As a hiring manager or HR professional, you also want someone who fits well with the team and company culture. Professional references can provide valuable insight here. After all, who knows the candidate better than someone who’s worked closely with them? Pay attention to how the reference describes the candidate — are they well-respected or just another co-worker? Be sure to ask questions that relate directly to your company culture. For example, if your workplace values collaboration, ask about the candidate’s ability to work in a team or share an example of when they contributed to a group project.

verify applicants’ information

One of the main benefits of checking job references is that it helps verify the details on the candidate’s resume and application. Don’t hesitate to ask about specific job titles, responsibilities and skills. While most candidates choose references they know will speak positively about them, you can still gain useful information by asking detailed follow-up questions. For instance, if a reference mentions the applicant is a strong leader, ask for specific examples of their leadership qualities.

identify red flags

Reference checks can also uncover potential red flags. If the information shared by the reference doesn’t match the applicant’s resume, it could be a sign that some of the candidate’s skills or experiences have been embellished. The reference might also mention problematic behaviours, such as being argumentative or unreliable. Another thing to watch out for is if the reference struggles to answer basic questions about the candidate. This could indicate that they didn’t work closely with the applicant and may not be the best judge of their professional abilities.

examples of reference check questions

Before starting your professional reference checks, it’s a good idea to get input from other members of your hiring team. Ask them to flag any parts of the candidate’s application that need more clarification or might be areas of concern. This will help you prepare job-specific questions to ask the references.

Typically, you’ll begin with a few basic questions to confirm that the reference actually worked with the candidate. You might start with questions like:

• “During what time frame did you work with the candidate?”
• “What was their job role?”
• “What specific duties and responsibilities did they handle in that role?”

Once you’ve covered the basics, you can move on to more detailed, work-related questions, such as:

• “How would you rate the candidate’s ability to handle stressful situations?”
• “Do you know why they left their previous job?”
• “How did they handle conflicts at work?”
• “How do their professional abilities compare to others in similar roles?”
• “Would you rehire or recommend them for this position?”

Be sure to give the reference a chance to share any additional details about the candidate, address concerns, or clarify any of their responses. Download our guide on conducting effective reference checks for a complete list of questions to ask during your job reference checks.