Frequently Asked Questions
Every question, answered straight.
Everything recruiting firms and employers ask before claiming the free Proof Placement™ — or adding Reference First Complete™ at $399 per candidate. No fine print games.
What is Reference First™?
Reference First is a Pre-Hire Signal Verification™ service. We turn traditional reference conversations into structured, evidence-supported hiring signals designed to help recruiting firms and employers make better-informed decisions before hiring or placement.
How is this different from a normal reference check?
A normal reference check often records answers and opinions. Reference First also assesses reference quality, probes opinions for observable evidence, tests relevant candidate claims, compares independent references for consistency and connects the evidence to the actual role.
What does the $399 include?
Reference First Complete™ covers one candidate, up to three completed references, the full Pre-Hire Signal Verification™ process and the Hiring Signal Report™.
Is the first assessment really free?
Yes, for a qualifying recruiting firm or corporate group. The Proof Placement™ includes one genuine finalist, up to three completed references and the full Hiring Signal Report™ at a $0 assessment fee.
Can every recruiter in our firm get a free assessment?
No. The Proof Placement™ is one initial free assessment per recruiting firm/corporate group, not one per individual recruiter, branch or desk.
What if the free candidate does not get placed?
The firm still pays $0 for the qualifying first assessment. However, the initial free entitlement is considered used when Reference First completes the qualifying assessment and report, whether or not the candidate ultimately places.
Do you only get paid if the candidate places?
No. Reference First is paid for the assessment work and intelligence it creates. After the initial Proof Placement™, each paid candidate assessment is $399 whether or not the candidate ultimately places.
What is Placement Protection™?
Placement Protection™ is an optional paid add-on for qualifying placements. It provides defined replacement Reference First assessment coverage if a covered failure triggers the recruiting firm’s qualifying replacement obligation.
Does Placement Protection™ reimburse our placement fee?
No. The launch product is service-based protection, not cash reimbursement. A valid claim provides defined replacement Reference First assessment services.
Can I buy Placement Protection™ after a placement starts going wrong?
No. Protection must be purchased within the applicable eligibility window before the outcome is known.
Does Reference First decide whether we should hire the candidate?
No. Reference First provides decision-support evidence. The hiring or placement decision remains with the recruiting firm or employer.
Do you guarantee that a candidate will succeed?
No. No reference process can guarantee future performance. Reference First is designed to make the quality, consistency and role relevance of reference evidence more visible before the decision.
Do all candidates need three references?
The standard assessment includes up to three completed references. The number actually completed may depend on the candidate, role, customer requirements and reference availability. Additional completed references may be purchased when appropriate.
Can employers use Reference First directly?
Yes. Direct employers can use the $399 Reference First Complete™ assessment. Recruiting and staffing firms are the primary launch audience, particularly for the initial Placement Protection™ pilot.
What happens after our free Proof Placement™?
If you want to continue, each future Reference First Complete™ assessment is $399. For eligible placements, you may also choose to add Placement Protection™.
What is Proof It Forward™?
If you introduce a genuinely new recruiting firm, they can receive their own first Proof Placement™ free. When that referred firm becomes a paying Reference First customer, your firm earns one free $399 Reference First Complete™ assessment credit, subject to the referral terms.
How quickly will the assessment be completed?
Publish a turnaround commitment only after operational testing confirms the standard Reference First can reliably meet. Until then, the website should state: “Turnaround timing is confirmed at intake based on reference availability and service capacity.”
How do you handle candidate and reference information?
Reference First should publish a clear privacy notice explaining what information is collected, why it is collected, how it is used, retention practices and applicable rights. Customers must confirm they have the lawful authority and required consent to submit candidate and reference information.