Reference Check Template
Build a structured reference check template for any candidate and role. Group questions by competency, generate a shareable template, and collect consistent feedback from every reference call.
Build your reference check template
Enter the candidate and role details, then customise the question set. Your structured template will be ready to share with your entire hiring team.
How it works
Enter candidate details
Add the candidate name, role, your company, and the hiring manager to personalise every template.
Customise the questions
Use the 6 pre-built competency questions or add your own. Group them by category for structured conversations.
Generate the template
Preview a formatted reference check template with categorised questions and note fields — ready to send.
Share with your team
Save to a free HiringKit account and send a secure View URL to everyone conducting reference calls.
Frequently asked questions
- How many references should I check per candidate?
- Most hiring teams check 2–3 references: at least one direct manager and one peer or collaborator. For senior roles, a skip-level or board reference adds perspective on leadership and strategic impact.
- Can I create different templates for different roles?
- Yes. The free plan supports up to 3 templates per month. Create separate templates for engineering, sales, and leadership roles — each with competency-appropriate questions.
- How does response tracking work?
- After saving with a free account, interviewers receive a View URL to access and fill in the template. The Pro plan tracks who has submitted responses and highlights candidates with outstanding checks.
- Why use HiringKit instead of a shared document?
- HiringKit is purpose-built for hiring teams. Every reference template gets a shareable View URL, built-in response tracking, and automatic consolidation of feedback — no chasing notes across email threads.
Standardise every reference call
Create a free account to save templates, share View URLs with your hiring team, track response progress, and export branded PDF summaries.