Sample Reference Questions for Faculty Candidates

  1. How long have you known the candidate and in what capacity?
  2. What research and/or grants are you aware of with which they have been most recently involved?
  3. Provide an example of the candidate’s academic accomplishments or scholarly work.
  4. How effective is the candidate in the classroom specifically as it relates to student engagement and success?
  5. How well does this person interact and relate to undergraduate and graduate students?
  6. How effective is the candidate in working with peers in the fields?
  7. Is there anything else you would want us to know about this candidate?
  8. Given the position described, would you recommend the candidate for this position?
  9. Given the opportunity, would you hire this person again (if reference is prior employer)?