How to Run Reference Checks That Actually Tell You Something

Standard reference checks often produce generic, cautious answers because references worry about liability. A better approach gets past that.

Ask specific, behavioural questions

Instead of "was this person a good employee," ask "can you describe a time they handled a difficult deadline" or "how did they respond to feedback." Specific questions get specific, harder-to-fake answers.

Listen for hesitation, not just words

A pause before answering a simple positive question, or notably lukewarm language, often communicates more than what's explicitly said.

Check for consistency

Compare what references say against what the candidate told you in the interview — significant gaps are worth a direct follow-up conversation with the candidate.