HiPeople’s Relationship Verification adds a layer of trust to the Reference Check process. It helps confirm whether a candidate and their reference have a legitimate professional relationship, while keeping the experience simple and optional for everyone involved.
How it works
1. Candidate begins the reference check
When a candidate opens their reference check link for the first time, they are prompted to provide a link to their professional profile. Most candidates use LinkedIn. This step is optional, and candidates may choose to share the link or opt out.
2. Candidate adds their references
As the candidate enters their references, they are also asked to provide each reference’s professional profile link. Again, this step is optional. The candidate can add the link or choose not to.
3. References verify their relationship
When a reference receives the request and begins the reference check, they are invited to verify their identity through LinkedIn.
If they choose to proceed (by clicking "Verify with LinkedIn"), they log in securely and then will confirm two details:
The company where they worked with the candidate
The period during which they worked together
This verification takes only a few moments and helps ensure the relationship is authentic.
References may also decline to verify if they prefer not to (by pressing the "Continue without verifying" button).
Relationship Verification Outcomes
Below is a full list of all possible verification outcomes in HiPeople, presented with the system condition, the exact return message, and a clear explanation of what each result means.
Condition | Return Message | Meaning |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as no professional network profile of [candidateName] was given.” | The candidate did not provide a professional profile link, so verification cannot be performed. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as no professional network profile of [referenceName] was given.” | The reference did not provide a professional profile link. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as no professional network profile of [candidateName] and [referenceName] was given.” | Neither the candidate nor the reference provided a professional profile. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as [candidateName]'s employment at [companyName] could not be confirmed.” | The candidate’s employment at the stated company could not be verified through their professional profile. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as [referenceName]'s employment at [companyName] could not be confirmed.” | The reference’s employment at the stated company could not be verified. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as neither [candidateName]'s nor [referenceName]'s employment at [companyName] could be confirmed.” | The company listed by both parties does not match their professional profiles. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as [candidateName] didn't work there in the given time span according to their professional network profile.” | The candidate worked at the company, but not during the stated time period. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as [referenceName] didn't work there in the given time span according to their professional network profile.” | The reference worked at the company, but not during the stated time period. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as neither [candidateName] nor [referenceName] worked there in the given time span according to their professional network profiles.” | The time period provided does not match the profiles of either party. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified as [referenceName] refused the verification process.” | The reference declined to complete the verification through LinkedIn. |
| “Unfortunately, this relationship could not be verified.” | A general fallback displayed when none of the specific conditions apply. |
Why this feature matters
Relationship Verification helps ensure the integrity of the Reference Check process. It provides hiring teams with additional confidence that the feedback they receive comes from genuine professional connections, while maintaining a respectful and fully optional experience for both candidates and references.