It’s a fair and important question, and one we always address early in the process.
Here’s how we handle it.
We will never contact your references without your explicit consent. In executive search, confidentiality and professional discretion are everything. We understand the reputational sensitivities involved, especially if your referees are current or recent colleagues.
So when is the right time?
Typically, reference checks occur at final stages, once you’ve been shortlisted or are the preferred candidate. By that point, both you and the hiring party are aligned on expectations, and referencing is used to validate fit, not to screen candidates out.
In some senior appointments, or when board-level hires are involved, clients may request early soft referencing. Even then, we will discuss it with you first and only proceed once you’re comfortable.
Why does it matter?
Handled poorly, reference checks can damage trust. Handled properly, they reinforce your credibility and strengthen your negotiating position. We focus on the latter.
Have a question about the executive hiring process you’d like us to answer next? We are all ears.
