Reference Checks

It is the responsibility of the Hiring Manager to conduct three (3) professional reference checks on the final candidate.

The Reference Check Form provides a list of approved questions that may be asked of a candidate's professional references. While the candidate is asked to provide the University with references as part of their application, candidates should be informed that reference checking may be extended to their current and/or previous employers, even though they may not be on their reference list. If a candidate tells you not to contact a specific person or employer, please respect their request, however, one reference should be from the candidate's current or most recent supervisor.

All references should be relevant to the position sought. The best references are, typically, former employers (supervisors/managers with direct knowledge of the candidate's work), former co-workers, and former educators.

Reference checks should also be done for internal candidates. You should ask the same questions of the internal supervisor/manager as you would for the external candidate.

Standard Reference Check Questions

Optional Reference Check Questions for Supervisor/Manager positions

Contact Information

Joyal Administration Building, Room 211

5150 N Maple Ave. 
Mail Stop: JA41 
Fresno, CA 93740

Tel: 559.278.2032 
Fax: 559.278.4275

hr@csufresno.edu