Beyond Employment Verification
Standard employment verification confirms the basics — dates of employment, job title, and whether someone is eligible for rehire. But it rarely tells you what you actually need to know: How did this person perform? Were they dependable? What did their coworkers and managers think of them?
Professional reference checks fill that gap. Rather than confirming facts already on a resume, a reference check surfaces insights that only someone who worked alongside the candidate can provide — their actual contributions, interpersonal style, and professional character.
At Research Services, we conduct customized reference evaluations using structured questioning frameworks that can be tailored by industry, role type, or specific employer concerns.
What Our Reference Checks Cover
Every reference check we conduct explores the following core areas. These can be expanded or adjusted based on what matters most to your organization:
No Minimums. No Maximums.
One of the most common questions we get: "How many references should we request?" Our answer: as many as it takes. We place no minimum or maximum on the number of references you can request per candidate. Some roles warrant two references; others warrant five.
We work with you to determine the appropriate depth for each position and adapt our questioning accordingly — whether you're screening an entry-level hire or a senior executive.
Why Reference Checks Matter More Than Ever
In an era where resumes are polished and interviews are coached, professional references remain one of the few sources of unscripted, firsthand information about a candidate. A well-conducted reference check can:
- Confirm or challenge impressions formed during the interview process
- Surface red flags that formal records won't show
- Provide context for gaps, transitions, or inconsistencies in employment history
- Give you confidence — or appropriate caution — before extending an offer
How to Get Started
Reference checks work best when they're part of a broader screening program. Most employers pair them with employment verification and a criminal background check. We can handle all three — or just the references — depending on your needs.
There's no complicated onboarding process. Contact us with the candidate's name and your list of references, and we'll take it from there.
Need a Reference Check?
We handle the outreach, the questioning, and the report — so you can focus on making the right hire.