To help you find the inspiration you need, we have organized many examples for open questions into more general topics that are often covered in reference checks:
<aside> 💡 We already formatted the questions so that they contain the candidate's name (this what {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} stands for) automatically! This way you can copy, paste, and adjust the question however you like!
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What are your overall impressions of {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}?
What would be your reasons to (not) hire {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} again?
What would you have liked to know about {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} before you hired her?
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}?
What were {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}'s most memorable accomplishments at the time you worked together?
What does {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} do best?
What about areas where {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} can continue to grow and develop? How have these areas changed over time?
Can you think of any areas of improvement {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} might need support with?
Where are general areas of improvement {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} could develop further in?
Can you comment on why {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} left the company you worked for together?
When did {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} work in your company?
How did you and {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} work together?
What were {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} main responsibilities at the time you worked together?
Can you give us some insights into how well you know {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} professionally?
Can you compare {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} to another person (e.g. another team member or successor)? How do they differ?
How would you describe {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}'s working style?
Can you think of characteristics that distinguish {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} from other team members?
Can you tell me about a time that the candidate made a mistake / handled a situation poorly? How did they handle it? What was the outcome?
How open was {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} to change and variety in the workplace? Do you have any specific situations in mind where this manifested? (Work Style: Flexible)
In how far did {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} take necessary actions to produce work that required little or no checking? Do you have any specific situations in mind where this manifested? (Work Style: Detailed)
In how far did {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} go beyond what is formally required in a job? Do you have any specific situations in mind where this manifested? (Work Style: Proactive)
In how far did {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} develop their own ways of doing things with little or no supervision? (Work Style: Independent)
In how far was {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} willing to own their mistakes? Do you have any specific situations in mind where this manifested? (Work Style: Pleasent)
<aside> 💡 Browse more relevant work styles and behaviors to use in this question
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Can you think of any work situations that particularly motivated {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}?
Are you aware of any work-related topics that {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} is really passionate about?
What’s the perfect conditions for {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} to be at their best? What's the worst?
What aspects of the company’s culture were a good fit for {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}? What aspects were not a good fit?
What type of work environment do you think {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} would be most likely to thrive in, and why?
What would you say is more important to {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}, {value; e.g. Collaboration} or {value; e.g. Autonomy}
<aside> 💡 Browse more relevant values and beliefs to use in this question
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What was it about you that made you a good collaborator with {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}?
Can you describe {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}'s experience working as a member of a team?
What advice you would give to {ORGANIZATION.NAME}'s team about how best to work with {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME}?
How does {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} adjust their style to various stakeholder needs and preferences when working with them?
What relationship-focused challenges have you observed {CANDIDATE.FIRST_NAME} encounter? Did she overcome them? If so, how?