Referee checks made easier: practical guidance for occasional recruiters

For many occasional recruiters, referee checks are where recruitment becomes hardest to finish.

Referees can be difficult to contact, conversations can be unfocused or unhelpful, and the process can feel high-risk and administratively heavy — particularly when recruitment is only one part of a busy role.

As a result, referee checks are often delayed or more stressful than they need to be.

This short, practical session focuses on making referee checks simpler, more consistent and easier to manage. It explores ways to reduce friction, improve the quality of information gathered, and support fair, candidate-centred decision-making without adding unnecessary burden.

The emphasis is on clarity, structure and realistic approaches that work for people who recruit occasionally, not every day.

what the session will cover

• collecting referee details in a way that avoids follow-up and confusion
• structuring referee conversations so they stay focused and useful
• core questions that support fair and defensible decisions
• probing gently to clarify vague or overly broad responses
• practical follow-up approaches when referees are slow or unresponsive
• simple scheduling strategies that reduce disruption
• a clear, practical reminder of natural justice and when it applies

who this session is for

This session is suited to:

• managers and executives who act as panel chairs or panel members occasionally
• executive support staff and internal scribes who coordinate referee checks
• anyone who has found referee checks to be the most difficult part of recruitment
• people balancing recruitment with an already full workload

No recruitment or hr background required.