Reference Ace › Guides › How reference checks work in New Zealand

How reference checks work in New Zealand

The sequence, who calls who, and what employers are allowed to do.

The short version

The sequence

Usually after interviews narrow to a shortlist, often alongside or just after a conditional offer. Two referees is standard, one of them usually a recent manager.

Consent first

A prospective employer should get your permission before approaching any referee, and should not contact your current employer without it.

What they verify

The referee's identity, your dates and title against your CV, and the consistency of the answers. Inconsistency is what sinks people, not one awkward sentence.

Where Reference Ace fits in

The honest version of this problem is solvable, and it lasts. No usable referee? We check real examples of your work, confirm they're yours, and vouch for them openly as an independent reviewer. Got referees? We brief them properly, run a practice of the exact call employers make, and use the consent rules that keep your current employer out of it until you have signed. Nothing to hide, nothing that unravels in year two.

Common questions

open>

Do they call the company or a mobile?

Both happen, but calling the main line and asking for the referee is a common verification step. Brief your referee to expect it.

Can they contact referees I did not list?

Reputable employers stick to your list. Consent is required to approach anyone, listed or not.

When should I brief my referees?

The moment you start interviewing. Referees caught cold give flat answers, and flat answers read as lukewarm.

No referee? Show us your work

Reference Ace checks real examples of your work, confirms they're yours, and vouches for them to employers by name, always as an independent reviewer and never as a former boss. Got a referee already? We brief them and run the practice check before a real employer calls.

See how it works and pricing