OnHires References Template is built to help you run more structured and useful reference calls.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A section for reference details
• A list of core reference check questions
• Space to document answers and observations
• Prompts about communication style, strengths, growth areas, and rehire potential
• Additional role-specific and value-specific question ideas

Why use it

Reference checks are often rushed or treated like a formality. But when done properly, they can provide meaningful insight into how a candidate works, communicates, and grows in real team environments.

This template helps make reference calls more consistent and more valuable for decision-making.

Who it’s for

This template is useful for:

• Recruiters
• Hiring managers
• Founders involved in hiring
• Teams hiring for roles where deeper validation matters

What you can assess

With this template, you can explore areas such as:

• How the reference worked with the candidate
• Situations where the candidate stood out
• Communication and collaboration style
• Areas for growth and support needs
• Whether the person would be rehired
• Role-specific strengths
• Alignment with your team’s values

What makes it useful

Instead of relying on vague impressions or inconsistent conversations, you get a repeatable structure that helps your team ask smarter questions and capture answers in one place.

It is especially helpful when you want reference checks to be a real evaluation step rather than just a box to tick.

Extra value

The template also encourages deeper thinking around backchannel context, role fit, and the kind of support a candidate may need to succeed in their first months on the job.