For Leaders and Job Seekers: How to Run a Reference Check

We know every candidate tailors who they put forward for professional reference checks. So, if an organization has already decided you're their top candidate, that call is not usually a make-or-break moment.

But sometimes references give one-word answers. That hurts the candidate AND the organization because the benefit of a well-run reference check is to understand how the new hire would operate, and how to best support them in the new role.

Here's what a well-run reference check actually looks like when both sides treat it seriously.

For organizations:

A supervisor might say the best working relationship is to give this person autonomy and let them shine. Another might say they needed a standing check-in twice a week to work most effectively. Both of those are useful because they're cues about how to best support that person once they're in the seat.

We're not looking for reasons to pass on someone. We're asking, "What does this person need to thrive?"

More visibility? The chance to lead a bigger team? Some executive coaching to get them to the next level? We just let the reference talk, and what comes out of that conversation influences how we advise our clients on onboarding and support.

For candidates:

A prepared reference might say: "Here's a specific situation where she had to navigate a difficult stakeholder conversation and what that looked like." That's the kind of detail that actually moves a hiring decision forward. So, talk to your references first; tell them what excites you about the role and where you're trying to go. What is it about this specific role and organization that drew you in? That context is what helps a reference make the connection for the interviewer.

Additionally, a good reference mix includes people who can speak to different sides of how you work and how you lead. And if we have to come back to you for an additional reference mid-process, it slows everything down and draws attention you don't want.

Done well, a reference check is one of the most useful conversations in the whole process. Done poorly, it's a missed opportunity on both sides.