Reference authorization: Sample template

Reference checks comprise an invaluable part of the recruitment, selecting and hiring process and should be conducted with utmost care. Verifying your assessment of a candidate is an important element of trying to find the best person for the job.

However, do not contact references without the candidate’s permission, especially current employers, as you do not want to jeopardize their current employment status. Consider having the candidate sign a release authorizing you to conduct the reference check. The document below is a sample template of a letter to authorize reference checks.

Download the Reference Authorization Template

See also: Reference check: Sample template