Choosing and Briefing Your Referees for APS Roles

References aren't a formality

Referee checks in the APS are not a formality. They're a structured, criteria-based interview that often runs 30 to 45 minutes per referee, and the questions are usually the same ones the panel asked you. A referee who hasn't been briefed properly will give vague, anodyne answers that score in the middle — not because you're a middle candidate, but because they're guessing what the panel wants.

The candidates who get offers are the ones who treat their referees as a third interview: chosen carefully, briefed properly, and prepared with the same examples the candidate used in the panel.

How APS reference checks actually work

• They usually use a structured proforma based on the selection criteria — your referee will be asked specific, scored questions.
• The standard is at least one current or recent direct supervisor as a referee; peer references rarely carry equivalent weight.
• Referee reports are often required in writing and signed — your referee should expect a follow-up document, not just a phone call.
• You can request your referee receive the criteria in advance — most agencies will accommodate this.

What to send your referee

A short briefing email with:

• The role title, classification, and agency
• The selection criteria (copy them from the job ad)
• A brief reminder of one or two examples you used at panel for each criterion
• The expected timeframe for the agency to make contact

This isn't coaching — it's giving your referee the information they need to do justice to your work.

When your current manager doesn't know

Confidentiality about your application is often a real constraint — especially if you're applying outside your current agency. If your current manager doesn't know, brief a different recent supervisor, and explain the situation factually to the panel. Most panels will accommodate this without penalty.

How GovPrep helps

GovPrep's STAR responses are stored against each criterion — perfect for sharing with referees so their answers reinforce the same examples you used in your panel.