Some candidates list a friend and hope you won’t notice. These four questions expose it in under a minute.
30-SECOND VIDEO · CHILDCARE · MATCH STAGE
Any candidate who lists a fake reference is out. No exceptions.
If they fumble, or something simply feels off, end the call and trust that.
A candidate who invents a reference has shown you, before the job even starts, that they will deceive you when the truth is inconvenient. That's the one trait you cannot manage around in someone caring for your child.
And it's more common than families expect — which is exactly why reference calls deserve structured questions rather than a friendly chat.
Verify that each reference was an actual employer: how the arrangement began, the dates, the hours, the pay, and how payment was made. Ask for a second contact at the same family if the first answers seem rehearsed.
Judge the answers, not the person giving them — accents, backgrounds, and communication styles vary among perfectly genuine references. What fakes can't do is supply specific, consistent detail.
The full reference check, including how to spot a fake, plus the Family Needs Assessment and interview.
Get the free guide →Targeted calls to your candidate’s references, with a written summary.
See the service →Questions first? Text (818) 308-1358 or email info@caremapmethod.com