Keep your strong references
A reference who confirms your dates and speaks well of you is an asset. Keep them at the top of your list.
Sample report
See exactly what you’ll get.
This is the format of an Allison & Taylor reference report: what was verified, how your reference rated you, and every answer word for word. The responses in this sample are real, from past checks we performed.
Allison & Taylor, Inc. · The Reference Checking Company
Confidential Professional Reference Report
One report per reference checked
Allison & Taylor internal information
Performance evaluation questionnaire
| Area | Rating | Comment, word for word |
|---|---|---|
| Oral communications | 2 · Poor | No comment recorded |
| Written communications | 2 · Poor | No comment recorded |
| Interpersonal relations | 3 · Satisfactory | No comment recorded |
| Employee relations | 2 · Poor | No comment recorded |
| Leadership | 1 · Inadequate | He had no leadership skills. |
| Short term planning | 2 · Poor | No comment recorded |
| Long term planning | NC · No comment | He wasn’t here long enough to rate him. |
| Managerial skills | 1 · Inadequate | He couldn’t manage a group of children! |
| Financial skills | 2 · Poor | No comment recorded |
| Technical skills | 3 · Satisfactory | No comment recorded |
| Productivity | 2 · Poor | No comment recorded |
| Decision making | 1 · Inadequate | He couldn’t make a decision if his life depended on it! |
| Crisis management | NP · Not applicable | No comment recorded |
| Personal integrity | 1 · Inadequate | No comment recorded |
| Overall performance | 1 · Inadequate | Inadequate would be a positive word for him! |
Key: 1 Inadequate · 2 Poor · 3 Satisfactory · 4 Good · 5 Outstanding · NC No comment · SB See below · NP Not applicable
Interview / correspondence
Q1Are you able to enthusiastically recommend this person?
AI do not care to comment at all. I let him go and that’s all I care to say!
Q2Is this person eligible for re-hire within your organization?
AI wouldn’t re-hire him. He was disorganized and dishonest.
Q3Could you fully describe the circumstances and reason for the separation?
AI am not allowed to say anything about this person as they were fired.
Q4Could you describe any strengths and / or weaknesses of this individual?
AI cannot think of any strengths, only weaknesses.
Q5Would you describe this individual’s ability to attract, build, and mentor a team? Executive reports
Q6Could you suggest anyone else that I should speak to regarding this individual?
AYes, you can speak with my boss… he’s sure to tell you more than I did.
Additional notes and comments
Two messages were left for the reference before he returned the consultant’s call on the third attempt. When the consultant explained the purpose of the call, the reference asked, “Are you certain he gave you my name?”
His tone was curt throughout, and he was clearly unhappy to be called about this former employee. He ended the call as soon as the last question was asked.
See Allison & Taylor’s published Professional, Executive and Educator sample reports.
After your report
Know who to keep, and what to do about the rest.
Replace a weak one
A lukewarm reference can be as damaging as a negative one. We can help you select the right references instead.
Stop a bad one
If a former employer is badmouthing you, a Cease & Desist letter puts them on notice.
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We’ll start calling your references within 48 hours, and you’ll see every answer word for word.
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