[header] How to reference check for employment [title] Get the office phone numbers or emails of the list of references you want to check. [step] Call them at night when you know they will not be answering the phone. [title] Leave the following voice mail or email for each person on the list : [step] " i'm considering hiring john and i know you have worked with him in the past. 
I know you are an exceptionally busy person and i don't want you to spend unnecessary time on a reference check. So please only return this call if you think john is one of the most exceptional people you have ever worked with.