Employers use reference checks to confirm your work history and gain a better understanding of how you perform in the workplace. The exact questions may vary depending on the role, but most reference checks cover a few key areas.

Common questions referees may be asked include:

• Employment details
  Confirming your job title, dates of employment, and reporting line.
  
  
• Key responsibilities
  The type of work you performed and main duties you were responsible for.
  
  
• Skills and strengths
  Your core abilities, technical knowledge, and areas where you excelled.
  
  
• Work style and behaviour
  How you worked within a team, handled deadlines, and managed challenges.
  
  
• Suitability for the role
  Whether your referee believes you are a good fit for the position you’ve applied for.
  
  

Reference checks are designed to give employers a balanced view of your experience. They focus on confirming facts and gathering feedback to support the hiring process, rather than catching you out.