Guide
Check references properly before you make an offer
Get useful, honest signal from reference calls instead of a box-ticking formality.
Ask the candidate to pick references who worked closely with them
A former manager or close teammate gives far more useful signal than a personal friend or a contact who barely worked with them.
Call rather than emailing
People say more, and more honestly, on a call than in writing. Tone and hesitation often tell you as much as the words themselves.
Ask specific, comparative questions
'How would you rate their reliability compared to others on the team' gets a more honest answer than 'were they good to work with'.
Listen for what isn't said
A lukewarm answer or a notable pause on a specific question is often more telling than an outright negative comment, most references default to being polite.
That’s the whole thing.
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What to read next
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Structure an interview process that actually predicts fit
Design a small, consistent set of interview stages instead of making it up each time.
- 02
Interviewing & Hiring Decisions
Ask interview questions that reveal real skill
Move past generic questions that only tell you how well someone interviews.
- 03
Interviewing & Hiring Decisions
Make the hiring decision without overthinking it
Move from a shortlist to a confident decision without endless second-guessing.