20 Questions Your References Will Likely Be Asked

Actively seeking employment means having a stable of references on standby. Don’t list anyone you haven’t verbally verified their consent to use them as a source of information. Your best bet is to always speak the truth but if possible you should check your facts with anyone you’ve asked to vouch for you. Employers want to make sure that there are no inconsistencies between your resume and your reference check.

There is a certain stable of questions that most managers use when vetting a new employee. If you can’t tell them what to say at least make sure you know what your references will respond to the following list.

1. How are you acquainted? The value of the rest of their answers will be based on the answer to this one. Family and friends have little credibility as well as supervisors several times removed. Make your references count for more by listing people you have worked with very closely.
2. What was the period of your employment? Double check your dates before filling out your application because you can be sure this is something almost all employers are going to want to validate.
3. What were your previous duties? Most employers want to make sure you did what you said and can handle similar responsibilities at your new position.
4. What was your starting and ending salary? Knowing what you’re worth is important so make sure you don’t exaggerate the numbers.
5. What are your strongest attributes? If you’re lucky they will say you are a hard worker, because that’s what every hiring manager wants to hear. Hopefully they will give specific examples instead of stopping at one or two words.
6. Where is there room for improvement? Nobody’s perfect and everyone knows that especially hiring managers and your former employer. Start praying now that the list they come up with isn’t too long.
7. How are your interpersonal skills? Employers need to know that you can effectively communicate with clients and coworkers.
8. Are you a team player? Some people work better independently and others thrive in a team. Neither is completely good or completely bad so hopefully your reference will highlight the balance between the two that you’ve maintained.
9. How do you handle conflict resolution? The way one employee handles stress can affect the entire office so avoiding hiring someone that freaks out over every little thing is high on their check list of things to do.
10. How are your decision-making skills? A lot of choices come along when you’re on the job and quick decisive action can save a sinking ship. If your former employer touts that you are someone that steps up with well thought out ideas that result in clear choices you will be more likely to get the job.
11. On a scale of 1-10 how does your reliability rate? Your credit rating is as important to getting a new car as a reliability rating is when you’re trying to get a new job. It all boils down to whether you live up to your word or not.
12. Are you punctual? If a reference is going to say you were habitually tardy you should probably leave them off the list of people to call. A lot of employers have the attitude if you can’t be there on time, you shouldn’t be there at all.
13. What is your attendance record? Excuses don’t add up to much even if they are coming for a former employer. Your attendance record speaks for itself so all they can do is verify it.
14. How motivated are you? Supervisors don’t want to have to babysit their team. They know people excited about their jobs are more productive and want to check on how much effort you put into your previous positions.
15. Are you organized? Keeping it together is important for time-management efficiency and meeting deadlines. Consider using a reference that can outline an example when and where your organizational skills were able to shine.
16. Have you had any promotions? Climbing the corporate ladder says a lot about you. Companies don’t often promote people that just skate by. Promotions prove you’re willing to put in the extra effort.
17. How your overall performance rates? Big picture the work you’ve done at your previous place of employment. If your reference can’t say anything nice they shouldn’t say anything at all. It’s better to choose someone who barely knows you than someone who knows exactly how awful you are.
18. What was your reason for leaving? This is one of the questions where the most contradictions occur so don’t try to sugar coat your answer because your old boss won’t.
19. Would you be re-hired? Knowing that your old boss would have you back is very reassuring to your new boss. You don’t want to be known as a bridge burner.
20. What else should they know about you? The usual reference check closer is an open ended question that will hopefully give them a little insight that sets you apart from all of the other applicants. Let your references know to leave them with a good note. If nothing comes to mind suggest they repeat that you are a hard worker.

You can prep for any reference check choosing your best references but nothing beats telling the truth from the get go.