“I can’t fault Zinc really, it’s been a seamless process. We don’t even have to think about it really, which is a good thing.”
People Operations Specialist
Employment reference checks
Zinc’s fast, automated employment reference checks combine the best of traditional references with verified employment data. Designed for speed, compliance, and accuracy, Zinc gives hiring teams the insights they need to make confident decisions without the manual effort.
Trusted & loved by
Trusted & loved by
Why conduct a reference check in your hiring process?
A good reference check is more than just confirming employment dates. It tells you how candidates performed in previous roles, what their work is like, and whether they’ll be a good fit for your business.
Traditionally, collecting references was a slow and manual process. But Zinc’s automated referencing helps you save time and get the insights you need to feel confident in your new hire.
Zinc combines professional references with employment verification and regulatory compliance checks, all with just one click. Plus, we’ll do the chasing for you.
“The references are so straightforward. That was a very manual process for me previously, sending them off and chasing them. They're coming back really fast and it all seems to be working really well.”
Lauren Small
HR & Payroll Manager
Benefits of Zinc’s employment reference checks
Speed up your recruitment process
Automated reference checks that save time
Customise your questions, and let Zinc handle the follow-up. Our automation reduces recruiter admin, eliminates delays, and helps you move candidates through the funnel faster. Zinc also flags mismatched dates, job titles, and any unclear information for further review.
Reduce risk
Global employment verification
Access accurate, verified data through global and UK-specific sources. For UK-based roles, we verify employment history directly with HMRC, ensuring fast and trusted employment reference checks within seconds.
How Zinc’s reference check process works
Chasing references is a hassle that you don’t need. Zinc makes it simple for you and your candidates to submit references, verify employment, and collect feedback from past employers:
Candidates provide referee information and employment dates.
Zinc collects and validates reference information through automated emails to referees and direct HMRC verification.
Once complete, reference check notifications are sent to your inbox and ATS.
FAQs about reference checks
Find answers to common questions about our reference checks and processes.
Which type of reference is best if my company is regulated?
If you're a regulated company and you require specific information from referees, we recommend switching on the Regulatory Reference. This requires referees to answer the questions you've specified without skipping them.
What is a reference check?
A reference check is one of the most common types of background check. It usually involves contacting a candidate’s previous employers or professional contacts to verify their work history, job titles, and sometimes their skills or character. A reference check helps make sure your candidate has represented themselves truthfully and helps you hire confidently.
What is the purpose of a reference check?
Reference checks make sure the information on your candidate’s CV is accurate, and gives you extra insights into their working habits, skills, past performance, and character. Good reference checks help managers and HR teams identify candidate red flags before their start date and help make better hiring decisions
What makes Zinc reference checks different?
Zinc’s reference checks provide the certainty you need, without you having to send endless follow-up emails. These include:
- All-in-one reference checks to simultaneously run professional, regulatory and employment verification checks
- Reference data scanning for matching values to flag keywords or phrases
- Extensive template library for custom question sets with scale, multiple choice and yes/no question types
- Toggle to make question sets required or optional
- Adaptable requirements that help clear candidates faster with Zinc’s “Accept one less” feature
Can Zinc integrate with our existing ATS or HRIS platforms for seamless processing of checks?
Yes, our employee background screening software can integrate with your existing ATS or HRIS platforms. We currently integrate with over 14 ATS platforms such as Greenhouse, SmartRecruiters, and Workable, for seamless processing of education checks. Find our full list of integrations here.
Loved by customers and candidates
“I can’t shout about Zinc enough, because it really has revolutionised the way we work. The level of time and effort we need to put in has dramatically reduced.”
Talent Partner
“With Zinc we click a button, and it just runs.”
HR Operations Specialist
“Zinc almost feels too good to be true, it's so affordable, smart, quick, and hassle-free.”
Talent Lead
“It's quick and it just happens.”
Compliance coordinator
“We can click a button and everything is done for us, we will never go back to manual reference checking.”
Talent acquisition manager
