A company may ask you to provide references through Spark Hire. This article explains the full process, from receiving the request to your references submitting their responses.

Before you submit your references

We recommend contacting each person you plan to list before sharing their information. Giving your references advance notice can help them recognize the request and respond promptly.

Let them know:

• You are providing their contact information as part of a hiring process.
• They will receive an email from Spark Hire.
• They will be asked to answer a few questions.
• The company may provide a deadline for their response.

How it works

1. You receive a reference request

Spark Hire sends you an email when a company requests references from you. The email may include:

• The company name
• The role you applied for
• The person who requested your references
• The submission deadline

Select Submit references in the email to open your request. You may need to confirm your email address and agree to the terms before continuing.

2. You add, review, and submit your references

The company may ask you to provide between one and five references.

For each reference, you must provide their full name and email address. Spark Hire uses this address to contact the reference.

You may also be able to provide:

• Phone number
• Their job title when you worked together
• Relationship to you
• Company name

Before submitting, review all names and contact details. You can select Edit next to a reference to update its information if needed. After you submit, you cannot update or modify the information.

The company cannot view the information of the references until you complete the request and select Submit references.

3. Spark Hire contacts your references on behalf of the company

After you submit:

• The company is notified and can view the information you provided.
• Each reference receives an email from Spark Hire.
• Each reference receives a link to answer questions about their experience working with you.

The company chooses the questions, so they may vary by company or role.

4. Your references complete and submit the survey

Each reference opens their email, answers the questions, reviews their responses, and submits them.

• The invitation may include a deadline.
• Spark Hire may send reminder emails if a reference has not responded.

When a reference submits their responses, the company is notified that they are available for review.

Deadlines and expired requests

The company may set a deadline for submitting your references, and only they can request an extension if needed.

Please contact the company directly when:

• You need more time to provide your references
• Your request link has expired
• The job is inactive
• You cannot provide the required number of references
• You need to correct information after submitting
• You want to provide an additional reference
• You need other assistance