Reference Status Guide: What Each Status Means

When tracking reference requests in RefNow, you’ll see different statuses displayed on your request timeline. These statuses help you understand where each request is in the reference process.

This guide explains what each status means and whether any action is required.

Awaiting Candidate or Referee ()

What it means:
The candidate has received their invitation but has not yet submitted their referee details
or
The candidate has submitted their referees and the request has been sent, but one or more of the referees have not yet completed their reference

What you can do:

• Wait for the candidate/referee to complete the step

• Send a reminder if needed

Issue Detected ()

What it means:
One or more of the referees have opened the request and have started completing the questionnaire, but the reference has returned a problem. This could either be

• Fraud Detected

• Incomplete Reference Period

• Mismatch in Employment dates

What you can do:
You can view the problem within RefNow, if it is a small mismatch in dates or an incomplete reference period, speak to the candidate or wait for any remaining referees to complete their references. To learn how we categorise fraud and what you should do in these instances visit here.

Completed ()

What it means:
The referee/s have successfully submitted the reference to cover the required range or amount.

What you can do:

• Review the responses

• Download the reference report (Standard or Analytical)

• Continue progressing the candidate

Some referee's may 'Decline' a reference.

What it means:
The referee has declined to provide a reference.

This may happen if:

• They do not know the candidate well enough

• Company policies prevent them from giving references

• They are unavailable

What you can do:

• Ask the candidate to provide an alternative referee

• Send a new request