Reference Verification
Turn reference conversations into structured, documented insight.
Configure the reference type, questions, and outreach process around your organization—while ISS coordinates follow-up and organizes the results.
Jordan LeeCompleted
Reference Verification Report
- RelationshipFormer supervisor
- Questions answered8 of 8
- Outreach activity3 attempts
- StatusCompleted
A reference provides perspective
Responses reflect what the reference knows. The client decides.
- Configurable questionnaires
- Professional or personal references
- Documented outreach
- Organized responses
Choose the reference approach that fits your program.
Standard Reference Verification
ConfigurableClient-defined reference type and questionnaire, appropriate for specialized programs, volunteers, vendors, contractors or role-specific needs. The client determines who qualifies as a reference.
Professional Reference Verification
Work-relatedSupervisors, managers, colleagues, clients, instructors, or other professional contacts, with questions focused on responsibilities, performance, reliability, communication, collaboration, initiative and role-related strengths.
Personal Reference Verification
Character & relationshipPersonal contacts who meet the client's relationship rules, with questions focused on how long and in what capacity they know the person, dependability, judgment, communication, and other permitted program-related questions.
Reference eligibility, quantity, questions, and required responses can be configured by client and program.
A consistent process from invitation to report.
- 01AuthorizeCandidate provides authorization and reference contacts.
- 02Collect referencesAuthorized contacts are collected.
- 03Confirm relationshipReference confirms their relationship to the candidate.
- 04Send outreachOutreach is sent using configured channels.
- 05Gather responsesResponses are collected and documented.
- 06Review & reportResults are organized for client review.
Outreach channels, attempts, and completion requirements may vary by configuration.
Different references answer different questions.
| Standard / Custom | Professional | Personal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best used for | Specialized programs, volunteers, vendors, contractors, or role-specific needs | Work-related roles and professional settings | Character and personal insight |
| Typical relationship | Defined by client | Supervisors, managers, colleagues, clients, instructors, or other professional contacts | Personal contacts who meet the client's relationship rules |
| Question focus | Varies by client and program | Responsibilities, performance, reliability, communication, collaboration, initiative, strengths | Length of acquaintance, dependability, judgment, communication |
| Report output | Organized responses by reference | Organized responses by reference | Organized responses by reference |
Questions built around the purpose of the check.
- Relationship and length of acquaintance
- Role or context
- Reliability and follow-through
- Communication
- Judgment and responsibility
- Strengths and development areas
- Recommendation or rehire when disclosed
- Client-specific permitted questions
Reference verification is not employment verification.
Clients may order either service independently or use both for a broader view.
Reference Verification
Gathers qualitative insight through structured questions.
- Uses candidate-provided or client-approved contacts
- Gathers qualitative insight through structured questions
- Documents the reference's stated relationship and responses
Employment Verification
Confirms factual employment details with the employer or its designated source.
- Uses employer, HR, payroll, or designated verification sources
- Confirms factual employment details
- May return title, dates, status, and other facts when disclosed
A clear record of the outreach and response.
The report carries the reference's stated relationship, the outreach activity, the questions asked, and anything the reference declined or did not answer.
- Reference name, type and stated relationship
- Outreach activity with dates and channels
- Questions and responses, in order
- Declined or unanswered questions, identified
- Reviewer notes where applicable
What is confirmed during the process.
ISS can ask the reference to confirm the stated relationship and context. Unless separate validation is included, Reference Verification does not independently prove every statement or guarantee that a candidate-provided contact is affiliated with a claimed organization.
Reference programs configured for different organizations.
- Employment hiring
- Staffing and recruiting
- Volunteer programs
- Youth-serving organizations
- Healthcare and caregiving
- Contractors and specialized roles
A connected part of your screening workflow.
Authorization, consistency and careful questions: candidate disclosure and authorization, additional investigative-report disclosure when applicable, consistent program-related questions, limited access and documented activity, and applicable pre-adverse and adverse-action steps when required.
- QuickApp candidate intake
- Reference verification
- Employment & education verification
- ISS report review
- Client decision
Consult qualified counsel for program-specific obligations.
Frequently asked questions.
A structured outreach to the contacts a candidate provides, or that your program defines, asking configured questions about the relationship and documenting the responses for your review.