About this template
Streamline your hiring process with this professional reference check template. Designed for HR professionals and hiring managers, this form replaces tedious phone tag with a structured, digital questionnaire that allows references to provide thoughtful, detailed feedback at their own convenience. By standardizing the questions you ask, you ensure consistent evaluation criteria across all candidates, making it easier to compare talent objectively.
This template covers essential performance indicators, including communication skills, teamwork, and performance under pressure. Because it is a Google Form, all responses are automatically organized in a connected Google Sheet, allowing your hiring team to review candidate insights side-by-side. Use this form to reduce manual data entry and gain actionable insights that help you make more informed, data-driven hiring decisions.
Key features
- Standardize feedback to ensure fair candidate evaluation.
- Collect detailed insights on soft skills and work ethic.
- Automatically sync responses to Google Sheets for easy review.
- Mobile-friendly design for references on the go.
- Fully customizable to match your specific role requirements.
Use cases
- Pre-employment background screening for new hires.
- Evaluating candidates for senior leadership positions.
- Internal promotion assessments.
- Contractor and consultant vetting.
What this form collects
- Candidate Information (Short answer)Please provide the name of the individual you are providing a reference for.
- Your Contact Information (Paragraph)Please enter your name, title, and company.
- Relationship to Candidate (Short answer)How long did you work with the candidate and in what capacity?
- Communication Skills (Linear scale)How would you rate the candidate's ability to communicate effectively with team members and clients?
- Teamwork and Collaboration (Linear scale)How well does the candidate collaborate within a team environment?
- Performance Under Pressure (Paragraph)Describe the candidate's ability to handle tight deadlines or stressful situations.
- Strengths and Areas for Growth (Paragraph)What do you consider to be the candidate's greatest professional strength and one area where they could improve?
- Would you rehire this candidate? (Multiple choice)If you had the opportunity, would you hire this person again?
- Additional Comments (Paragraph)Is there anything else you would like us to know about the candidate?
FAQ
Why use a digital form instead of a phone call for references?
Digital forms allow references to provide more detailed, thoughtful responses when they have the time, and they create a permanent, searchable record for your hiring team.
Can I add specific questions about technical skills?
Yes, you can easily edit, add, or remove questions in your Google Form to tailor the evaluation to the specific technical requirements of the role.
How do I share this form with the reference?
Simply copy the link to your Google Form and email it directly to the reference provided by the candidate.
Is the data collected secure?
Google Forms uses standard encryption for data in transit and at rest, and you maintain full control over who has access to the responses in your Google Drive.
Get this form in your Google Drive
Save a copy to your Google Drive with one click (uses 1 credit). Or build from a PDF or description in the app.