Reference Check Questions

References reveal what interviews don't. This guide helps you check references effectively.

Why Check References?

References tell you:

• How they actually behave
• Patterns over time
• How others experienced them
• Red flags you missed
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Reliability and commitment

Without references:

• Miss important information
• Rely only on their version
• Miss patterns
• Higher risk of bad fit

How to Check References

1. Get Permission

Always ask first: "Can I contact name as a reference?"

If they hesitate:

• Ask why
• Red flag if they refuse
• Understand their concern

2. Contact References

Best method:

• Phone call (best)
• Video call (good)
• Email (okay but less revealing)

When:

• After successful audition
• Before making offer
• Allow 1-2 weeks for responses

3. Set Context

Start with: "Hi, I'm name from band. Candidate has applied to join our band and listed you as a reference. Do you have 10-15 minutes to talk about your experience working with them?"

4. Ask Questions

Use this guide:

• Start with easy questions
• Move to specific questions
• Listen for what's not said
• Ask follow-up questions
• Take notes

5. Listen Carefully

Pay attention to:

• What they say
• What they don't say
• Tone of voice
• Hesitations
• Enthusiasm level
• Specific examples

Essential Questions

Opening Questions

1. "How do you know candidate?"

What you're learning:

• Nature of relationship
• How long they've known them
• Context of experience

2. "How long did you work together?"

What you're learning:

• Duration of relationship
• Depth of experience
• Relevance of reference

3. "What was your role/relationship?"

What you're learning:

• Perspective they have
• Authority of reference
• Relevance to your situation

Skill & Ability Questions

4. "How would you rate their skill level on instrument?"

What you're learning:

• Technical ability
• Competence level
• Areas of strength

Follow-up: "Can you give me an example?"

5. "What are their musical strengths?"

What you're learning:

• What they're good at
• What they bring
• Unique abilities

6. "What areas were they working on improving?"

What you're learning:

• Weaknesses
• Self-awareness
• Growth mindset

Note: Diplomatic way to ask about weaknesses

Reliability Questions

7. "How was their attendance and punctuality?"

What you're learning:

• Reliability
• Respect for others' time
• Commitment level

Red flags:

• Hesitation
• "Usually okay"
• "Had some issues"

8. "How was their preparation for rehearsals/shows?"

What you're learning:

• Work ethic
• Professionalism
• Respect for band

Red flags:

• "Sometimes prepared"
• "Depended on the song"
• "Could have been better"

9. "Did they follow through on commitments?"

What you're learning:

• Reliability
• Trustworthiness
• Accountability

Red flags:

• "Mostly"
• "When they could"
• Hesitation

Personality & Fit Questions

10. "How would you describe their personality?"

What you're learning:

• General demeanor
• How they come across
• Personality traits

Listen for:

• Positive traits
• Concerning traits
• Hesitations

11. "How did they get along with other band members?"

What you're learning:

• Interpersonal skills
• Conflict history
• Team fit

Red flags:

• "Had some conflicts"
• "Kept to themselves"
• "Personality clashes"

12. "How did they handle feedback or criticism?"

What you're learning:

• Coachability
• Ego
• Growth mindset

Red flags:

• "Didn't take it well"
• "Got defensive"
• "Took it personally"

13. "How did they handle disagreements or conflicts?"

What you're learning:

• Conflict resolution skills
• Maturity
• Communication style

Red flags:

• "Avoided them"
• "Got heated"
• "Held grudges"

Work Ethic Questions

14. "How would you describe their work ethic?"

What you're learning:

• Dedication
• Effort level
• Professionalism

Listen for:

• Specific examples
• Enthusiasm
• Hesitations

15. "Did they contribute ideas and take initiative?"

What you're learning:

• Engagement level
• Creativity
• Leadership potential

16. "How did they handle challenges or setbacks?"

What you're learning:

• Resilience
• Problem-solving
• Attitude

Departure Questions

17. "Why did they leave the band?"

What you're learning:

• Real reason for leaving
• How they handled it
• Any issues

Red flags:

• Story doesn't match candidate's
• Vague or evasive
• Negative circumstances

18. "How did they handle their departure?"

What you're learning:

• Professionalism
• Respect
• Character

Red flags:

• "Just stopped showing up"
• "Left us in a bind"
• "Burned bridges"

19. "Would you work with them again?"

What you're learning:

• Overall assessment
• True feelings
• Recommendation strength

This is the most important question

Red flags:

• Hesitation
• "Depends"
• "Maybe"
• "In the right situation"

Good signs:

• Immediate "Yes"
• Enthusiastic
• "Absolutely"

20. "Is there anything else I should know?"

What you're learning:

• Things they haven't mentioned
• Additional concerns
• Final thoughts

Listen carefully:

• Often reveals important info
• What they've been holding back
• Final assessment

Follow-Up Questions

If They Hesitate

"Can you tell me more about that?"

"Can you give me an example?"

"What do you mean by that?"

If They're Vague

"Can you be more specific?"

"How often did that happen?"

"Can you give me a specific example?"

If They Mention Concerns

"How did that affect the band?"

"Did it improve over time?"

"How did they respond when you addressed it?"

What to Listen For

Positive Signs

Enthusiasm:

• Excited to talk about them
• Speaks highly
• Gives specific examples
• Recommends strongly

Specificity:

• Concrete examples
• Detailed stories
• Clear memories
• Specific strengths

Consistency:

• Story matches candidate's
• Consistent across references
• No contradictions

Warning Signs

Hesitation:

• Pauses before answering
• Chooses words carefully
• Vague responses
• "Um, well..."

Damning with faint praise:

• "They were fine"
• "They showed up"
• "They were okay"
• "No major issues"

Inconsistency:

• Story doesn't match candidate's
• Contradicts other references
• Details don't add up

Avoidance:

• Won't answer directly
• Changes subject
• Gives non-answers
• "I'd rather not say"

Red Flag Responses

"I'd rather not say"

Meaning: There's a problem they don't want to share

Action: Probe gently or consider it a red flag

"They were fine"

Meaning: Lukewarm at best, possibly problematic

Action: Ask for specifics, probe deeper

"In the right situation"

Meaning: They weren't right for us, might not be for you

Action: Ask what "right situation" means

Long pause before "Yes, I'd work with them again"

Meaning: Hesitation indicates concerns

Action: Ask what they're hesitating about

"No, I wouldn't work with them again"

Meaning: Serious issues

Action: Ask why, get details, likely a pass

Reference Check Template

Candidate: _______________ Reference: _______________ Relationship: _______________ Date: _______________

Opening:

• How do you know them? _______________
• How long together? _______________
• Your role? _______________

Skills:

• Skill level? _______________
• Strengths? _______________
• Areas for improvement? _______________

Reliability:

• Attendance/punctuality? _______________
• Preparation? _______________
• Follow-through? _______________

Personality:

• Personality? _______________
• Got along with others? _______________
• Handled feedback? _______________
• Handled conflicts? _______________

Work Ethic:

• Work ethic? _______________
• Initiative? _______________
• Handled challenges? _______________

Departure:

• Why did they leave? _______________
• How did they handle it? _______________

Final:

• Would you work with them again? _______________
• Anything else? _______________

Overall Impression:

Red Flags:

Recommendation:

• Strong yes
• Yes
• Maybe
• No
• Strong no

After Reference Checks

Compare Notes

Look for:

• Consistency across references
• Patterns
• Red flags
• Strengths confirmed
• Concerns raised

Discuss with Band

Share:

• What you learned
• Any concerns
• Overall impression
• Recommendation

Make Decision

Consider:

• All information
• Patterns
• Red flags
• Gut feeling
• Band consensus

Key Takeaways

1. Always check references - Don't skip this step
2. Ask specific questions - Vague questions get vague answers
3. Listen for what's not said - Hesitations and omissions matter
4. "Would you work with them again?" - Most important question
5. Look for patterns - Consistency across references
6. Trust your gut - If something feels off, it probably is
7. Take notes - Document everything

References reveal the truth. Check them carefully and listen closely.