This standardized document requests information about a prospective employee’s past work experience, skills, and character from previous employers. Typically, it includes sections for contact information, employment dates, roles held, performance evaluations, and inquiries about rehire eligibility. A well-designed version often incorporates specific questions relevant to the open position, ensuring a thorough assessment of the candidate’s suitability.
Gathering insights from past supervisors provides valuable data that resumes and interviews alone may not reveal. It helps organizations make more informed hiring decisions, potentially reducing turnover and improving workplace productivity. This practice has become increasingly important in today’s competitive job market, offering a crucial layer of due diligence in personnel selection. Historically, verifying credentials and reputation has played a role in hiring processes, but formalized structured inquiries represent a more recent development aimed at standardizing and improving this essential step.