FlowFuse · ZJvandeWeg · Dec 9, 2025 · allthedoll · Dec 16, 2025 · allthedoll
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+---
+navTitle: Reference Check
+---
+
+Reference checks are a much needed final stage in the hiring process, conducted
+after the interview stages but before extending an offer. These conversations
+provide valuable insights into a candidate's past performance, work style, and
+potential fit with FlowFuse.
-Reference checks are a much needed final stage in the hiring process, conducted
-after the interview stages but before extending an offer. These conversations
-provide valuable insights into a candidate's past performance, work style, and
-potential fit with FlowFuse.
+Reference checks are a late-stage input in the hiring process, conducted after the interview stages but before extending an offer. These conversations are primarily used to validate interview signals and provide context to support onboarding and early management.
-Reference checks are a much needed final stage in the hiring process, conducted
-after the interview stages but before extending an offer. These conversations
-provide valuable insights into a candidate's past performance, work style, and
-potential fit with FlowFuse.
+Reference checks are a late-stage input in the hiring process, conducted after the interview stages but before extending an offer. These conversations are primarily used to validate interview signals and provide context to support onboarding and early management.
+
+## When to Conduct Reference Checks
+
+Reference checks should be conducted after all interviews are complete and the
+hiring team has identified a preferred candidate. We request 3 professional
+references from the candidate, preferably including:
-Reference checks should be conducted after all interviews are complete and the
-hiring team has identified a preferred candidate. We request 3 professional
-references from the candidate, preferably including:
+Reference checks should be conducted after all interviews are complete and the hiring team has identified a preferred candidate. We typically request three professional references from the candidate, preferably including:
-Reference checks should be conducted after all interviews are complete and the
-hiring team has identified a preferred candidate. We request 3 professional
-references from the candidate, preferably including:
+Reference checks should be conducted after all interviews are complete and the hiring team has identified a preferred candidate. We typically request three professional references from the candidate, preferably including:
+- A former direct manager
+- A peer or colleague
+- A direct report (if applicable for the role)
+
+FlowFuse will conduct 1 or 2 reference check calls, typically prioritizing
+conversations with former managers who can speak to the candidate's performance.
-FlowFuse will conduct 1 or 2 reference check calls, typically prioritizing
-conversations with former managers who can speak to the candidate's performance.
+We request references to ensure a range of perspectives. In cases where providing three references is not feasible (for example, candidates who are currently employed or early in their career), the hiring team may proceed with fewer references and treat this as contextual information rather than a blocker.
+
+We do not expect candidates to provide references from their current employer unless they explicitly offer to do so.
-FlowFuse will conduct 1 or 2 reference check calls, typically prioritizing
-conversations with former managers who can speak to the candidate's performance.
+We request references to ensure a range of perspectives. In cases where providing three references is not feasible (for example, candidates who are currently employed or early in their career), the hiring team may proceed with fewer references and treat this as contextual information rather than a blocker.
+
+We do not expect candidates to provide references from their current employer unless they explicitly offer to do so.
+
+## Structure of a Reference Check Call
+
+The reference check is typically a 20-30 minute conversation conducted over the phone or video call. The structure should be:
-The reference check is typically a 20-30 minute conversation conducted over the phone or video call. The structure should be:
+The reference check is typically a 20–30 minute conversation conducted over the phone or video call. Live conversations are preferred over async forms to allow for nuance, follow-up questions, and contextual understanding. The flow should be:
-The reference check is typically a 20-30 minute conversation conducted over the phone or video call. The structure should be:
+The reference check is typically a 20–30 minute conversation conducted over the phone or video call. Live conversations are preferred over async forms to allow for nuance, follow-up questions, and contextual understanding. The flow should be:
+
+1. Introduce yourself and FlowFuse, and explain the purpose of the call.
+2. Confirm the reference's relationship to the candidate and time worked together.
+3. Ask the [reference check questions](#reference-check-questions).
+4. Thank the reference for their time and insights.
+
+## Reference Check Questions
+
+During the reference check, aim to understand:
-During the reference check, aim to understand:
+These questions are intended to surface working style, strengths, and growth areas to support onboarding and early management. When speaking with peers or colleagues, ask for concrete examples and specific situations rather than general impressions.
+
+During the reference check, aim to understand:
-During the reference check, aim to understand:
+These questions are intended to surface working style, strengths, and growth areas to support onboarding and early management. When speaking with peers or colleagues, ask for concrete examples and specific situations rather than general impressions.
+
+During the reference check, aim to understand:
+
+1. Their working relationship; In what capacity did they collaborate? How long did you work together, and in what time period?
+1. What's their one trait you remember really well?
+1. How does the candidate prefer to work?
+   - Does this person work best in fully autonomous settings, or as part of a team?
+1. How would you place this person compared to everyone you've worked with? (top 0.1%, 1%, 10%, ...)
+1. What should the candidate's new manager / team know to help them be successful in their next role?
+1. Who else should the company speak with (if you're looking to run backdoor references).
-1. Who else should the company speak with (if you're looking to run backdoor references).
+1. Is there anyone else who might be helpful to speak with, if the hiring team chooses to seek additional context?
-1. Their working relationship; In what capacity did they collaborate? How long did you work together, and in what time period?
-1. What's their one trait you remember really well?
-1. How does the candidate prefer to work?
-   - Does this person work best in fully autonomous settings, or as part of a team?
-1. How would you place this person compared to everyone you've worked with? (top 0.1%, 1%, 10%, ...)
-1. What should the candidate's new manager / team know to help them be successful in their next role?
-1. Who else should the company speak with (if you're looking to run backdoor references).
+1. Can you describe how you worked with [Candidate Name] and how long you worked together?
+1. What is one trait or quality that stands out most to you?
+1. How does [Candidate Name] typically prefer to work day to day?
+   - For example, do they tend to do best in highly autonomous environments, or in more collaborative team settings?
+1. Compared to others you’ve worked with in similar roles, how does [Candidate Name] stand out?
+1. What would you want [Candidate Name]’s new manager or team to know to help them be successful?
+1. (Optional) Is there anyone else you think might be helpful for us to speak with if we want additional context?
-1. Who else should the company speak with (if you're looking to run backdoor references).
+1. Is there anyone else who might be helpful to speak with, if the hiring team chooses to seek additional context?
-1. Their working relationship; In what capacity did they collaborate? How long did you work together, and in what time period?
-1. What's their one trait you remember really well?
-1. How does the candidate prefer to work?
-   - Does this person work best in fully autonomous settings, or as part of a team?
-1. How would you place this person compared to everyone you've worked with? (top 0.1%, 1%, 10%, ...)
-1. What should the candidate's new manager / team know to help them be successful in their next role?
-1. Who else should the company speak with (if you're looking to run backdoor references).
+1. Can you describe how you worked with [Candidate Name] and how long you worked together?
+1. What is one trait or quality that stands out most to you?
+1. How does [Candidate Name] typically prefer to work day to day?
+   - For example, do they tend to do best in highly autonomous environments, or in more collaborative team settings?
+1. Compared to others you’ve worked with in similar roles, how does [Candidate Name] stand out?
+1. What would you want [Candidate Name]’s new manager or team to know to help them be successful?
+1. (Optional) Is there anyone else you think might be helpful for us to speak with if we want additional context?
+1. If they were managing the candidate again, what would you focus on developing?
+1. Would they hire the candidate again if you had the opportunity? Why or why not?
+
-
+
+Backdoor or informal references are optional and should be used sparingly. They should never involve a candidate’s current employer and should be treated as directional context rather than definitive signal.
-
+
+Backdoor or informal references are optional and should be used sparingly. They should never involve a candidate’s current employer and should be treated as directional context rather than definitive signal.
+
+## Making the Decision
+
+Reference checks should confirm what you learned during the interview process.
+Discrepancies between interview impressions and reference feedback warrant
+further investigation, also when the feedback was positive but diverges from what was expected.
+
+Positive reference checks that align with interview performance give confidence
+to proceed with an offer. If significant concerns arise during reference checks,
+discuss them with the hiring team before making a final decision.
-Positive reference checks that align with interview performance give confidence
-to proceed with an offer. If significant concerns arise during reference checks,
-discuss them with the hiring team before making a final decision.
+Positive reference checks that align with interview performance give confidence to proceed with an offer.
+
+Reference checks are not intended to independently veto a hire. When feedback materially contradicts interview signals, the hiring team should pause, investigate further, and align on next steps before making a final decision.
+
+Insights from reference checks should be carried into onboarding conversations and early manager check-ins to support the candidate’s success.
-Positive reference checks that align with interview performance give confidence
-to proceed with an offer. If significant concerns arise during reference checks,
-discuss them with the hiring team before making a final decision.
+Positive reference checks that align with interview performance give confidence to proceed with an offer.
+
+Reference checks are not intended to independently veto a hire. When feedback materially contradicts interview signals, the hiring team should pause, investigate further, and align on next steps before making a final decision.
+
+Insights from reference checks should be carried into onboarding conversations and early manager check-ins to support the candidate’s success.
@@ -52,4 +52,5 @@ What the Product Manager brings to the table:
 1. GTM Interview (Role fit, GTM compatibility) for 30m: Understand how the candidate thinks they can influence GTM and create more growth. Done by the VP of Sales.
 1. 90 day play Presentation: Candidate will be discussing the future of FlowFuse's product and deliver ideas for their first 90 days. The company will discuss and judge this based on how the ideas were formed, put forward, and defended against probing.
 1. Final Interview (**optional**): A final interview with key stakeholders, potentially including a sales leader or executive, to assess strategic alignment and executive presence.
+1. [Reference Checks](/handbook/peopleops/hiring/reference-check/): Request 3 professional references from the candidate and conduct 1-2 reference check calls to validate performance and cultural fit. Conducted by the hiring manager.
 1. Offer: Extend an offer to the selected candidate.