Reference Check
Editorial Reference Check Script
Eleven-question reference-check script tailored to editorial roles. Gets past "she was great" into specific, usable evidence.
Editorial Reference Check Script
Schedule 20–30 minutes. Open-ended questions. Take notes verbatim when possible.
- How do you know [candidate] and for how long?
- What was [candidate]'s role while you worked together, and what did they edit / write?
- How would you describe their mechanical accuracy? Any specific examples that stand out?
- Tell me about their editorial judgement — their ability to recognise when a piece needs more than line editing.
- Were there areas where [candidate] was still developing?
- How did they handle feedback on their own work?
- Describe their relationship with writers. Approachable? Feared? Respected?
- Can you give me an example of a time [candidate] pushed back on a decision you or someone senior made?
- Would you hire [candidate] again? If the role were different — say, more senior, more junior, more freelance — would your answer change?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how strongly would you recommend [candidate]? (If < 8, ask why not 10.)
- Anything I haven't asked that I should know?