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Reference Check Form Template

A free reference check form for employers and recruiters. Send a link to each reference and get written feedback on a candidate's work and reliability.

Use template

Customize the pages and design to fit your needs.

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A few questions about the candidate take about 5 minutes.

About this template

Ask every reference the same questions about how they know the candidate, their strengths, areas to grow, reliability and whether they would hire them again. Answers arrive in writing, ready to compare.

Common uses

  • Employers checking references
  • Recruiters and staffing agencies
  • Final stage candidates

Key features

  • Same questions for every reference
  • Strengths and growth areas
  • Written answers to compare

What this template asks

  1. What's your name?

    Short Text

  2. What's your email address?

    Email

  3. What's your phone number?

    Phone · Optional

  4. Which candidate are you giving a reference for?

    Short Text

  5. How do you know the candidate?

    Single Choice · I was their manager, We worked on the same team, They reported to me, Client or customer, Something else

  6. How long did you work together?

    Single Choice · Less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, More than 3 years

  7. What was their role?

    Short Text

  8. What are their greatest strengths?

    Long Text

  9. Where could they still grow?

    Long Text

  10. How reliable were they?

    Opinion Scale

  11. Would you hire or work with them again?

    Single Choice · Yes, Maybe, No

  12. Anything else we should know?

    Long Text · Optional

How to use this template

  1. Copy it

    Select Use template and a copy opens in your workspace as an unpublished draft.

  2. Make it yours

    Edit any question or answer, choose a theme, and add your logo.

  3. Share it

    Publish, then send the link, show a QR code, or embed the form on your site. Responses arrive in Submissions.

Frequently asked questions

What questions are on a reference check form?

How the reference knows the candidate, how long they worked together, the candidate's role, strengths, areas to grow, reliability and whether they'd work with them again.

How do I tell which candidate a reference is for?

The reference names the candidate in the form. You can also add a ref tag to each link, such as ref=jane, to group references by candidate.

Should I still call references?

A written reference is a good start. Call when an answer needs more detail, and use the phone number the reference shared.

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