Reference Check Pro

Reference Check Pro: practical plan

Reference-check guide

Before the call

Confirm candidate consent, reference identity and relationship. Explain the role and limit questions to job-related work. Do not request confidential information from a former employer.

Consistent questions

1. What was the candidate’s role and scope?
2. How did they approach user research and design tradeoffs?
3. Can you describe a project outcome and the candidate’s contribution?
4. How did they collaborate with engineering and product partners?
5. What environment helps them do their strongest work?
6. Would you work with them again in a similar role, and why?

Notes

Separate direct observations from opinion, capture examples, and avoid irrelevant personal details. Do not treat one reference as definitive.

Fairness and privacy

Use a consistent process for candidates, store notes securely and follow retention rules. Avoid questions about protected characteristics, health, family or other unrelated matters.

Decision use

Treat references as one input alongside structured interviews and work evidence. Human reviewers document how evidence relates to role criteria.

Measurement and review

Record the baseline, source, date range, denominator and owner. Use one primary measure plus quality guardrails; compare like-for-like cohorts and disclose missing data. Treat estimates as scenarios, not observed outcomes.

Risks and controls

Check relevance, consent, disclosure, workload and downside before scaling. Keep an evidence trail, obtain human review for material commitments, and pause if trust, quality or compliance signals deteriorate.

Next steps

1. Confirm the goal, audience and available capacity.
2. Gather the minimum evidence for a first test.
3. Assign an owner, budget and review date.
4. Run a small pilot, record outcomes and decide whether to iterate, expand or stop.