12 questions that reveal what resumes hide.
Most owners skip reference checks or ask useless questions. This script gives you 12 questions that surface the truth, plus a scoring system to make sense of what you hear.
12 questions with the purpose behind each one
Built-in scoring for work ethic, teamwork, and reliability
Resume match and rehire willingness checkboxes
"Before You Call" tips so you get honest answers
The Reference Check Script
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12 questions. Each one has a purpose.
These aren't generic "Can you confirm they worked there?" questions. Each one is designed to surface specific information that resumes and interviews can't.
Verification & Character
Confirm the resume is accurate, then dig into strengths, weaknesses, and how they handle pressure.
"What areas would you say they need to develop?"
Scored Questions
Work ethic, teamwork, and reliability, scored so you can compare across references and candidates.
"Were they someone you could count on to follow through?"
The Truth Questions
Why they really left, whether the reference would rehire them, and what they're not saying.
"If you had the opportunity, would you hire them again?"
Most owners skip reference checks entirely. The ones who don't ask the wrong questions.
A reference check is your last chance to catch something the interview missed. This script tells you exactly what to ask and how to interpret what you hear.
Reference checks: common questions
What questions should I ask when checking references?
Ask behavioral questions that force a specific story, like how the candidate handled tough feedback or a missed deadline. End with “would you hire this person again,” then stay quiet and listen to the pause.
Do reference checks actually matter?
Yes. References are where you confirm or kill what you suspected in the interview. A real reference check has saved more owners from bad hires than almost any other step.
Is the reference check script free?
Yes. Download the free script with 12 questions that get past the formality and into honest answers.
Your last line of defense before the offer.
Download the script, print one copy per reference, and call every single one. Twelve questions is all it takes to know what the resume won't tell you.
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