MHM Candidate Reference & Employment Verification Guidelines

We recognize that many of our candidates work for high-net-worth (HNW) employers or within family offices, where direct contact with Principals is limited. We understand the challenges in obtaining references in the field of private service, which is why we’ve created a process that only requires your references to be verified through our agency one time, along with this guide to assist you.

Why Reference Checks Matter

Reference checks are crucial for validating your work experience and assuring potential employers that your history aligns with the position they need to fill. They also provide valuable insights into your performance in previous roles. A documented employment history and high-quality references are especially critical for roles serving high-profile families, where accuracy, traceability, and professional accountability are essential. A high-quality direct reference conducted through our agency, combined with a strong letter of recommendation, could be the deciding factor that leads a family to choose you over another candidate with similar high-level experience.

Navigating Reference Checks in Private Service

Our Agency’s Reference Check Requirements

Relevance
A minimum of three references is required. References must be directly related to the field of private service and relevant to the type of role you are applying for.

Traceability
All references must be identifiable and clearly correspond to positions listed on your resume. We must be able to verify who the reference is, how they are connected to your employment, and the timeframe in which you worked together.

Documentation
Each position listed on your resume must be supported by either a verbal reference or documented proof of employment. Documentation may be used to preliminarily verify experience; however, it does not replace the requirement for three verbal references prior to introduction to a family.

A Note on Confidentiality & NDAs: Signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement does not automatically prevent you from sharing an employer’s name with a staffing agency for employment verification purposes. Candidates are responsible for reviewing the specific terms of their NDA. Our team is happy to review NDAs and maintain them securely on file.

Guidelines for Providing References

We understand that many private service professionals work in confidential environments where direct access to Principals may be limited. If you are unable to provide the name, phone number, and email address of a current or former employer—or if an employer is no longer available due to circumstances such as passing, privacy restrictions, or inability to recall your employment—please review the options below.

Preferred References

Direct Employer References (Strongly Preferred)
References from employers (Principals), family office representatives, estate managers, or household managers who hired you or directly supervised your work. These references provide the strongest verification of your experience and carry the greatest weight in competitive searches.

Alternative Employment Verification

(To be used only when a direct verbal reference is not available)

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
An NDA does not prevent you from sharing the name of your employer for employment verification purposes. Our team is happy to review and securely retain your NDA on file.

Pay Stubs or Bank Statements
Recent documentation showing direct deposits from your employer may be submitted to verify ongoing or past employment. Documents must clearly display the employer’s first and last name.

Placement Agency Verification
A domestic staffing agency that facilitated your placement may confirm employment details while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

Supporting Documentation

(Recommended in addition to a direct reference)

Letter of Recommendation
A written letter from a current or former employer may be submitted as supplemental support. We recommend requesting updated letters periodically to ensure continuity in the event of management changes. While valuable, letters of recommendation do not replace verbal references.

Unacceptable References

  • Coworker References
    Not accepted as primary references. In rare circumstances (such as the death of an employer), coworker references may be reviewed only as supporting context and must be accompanied by official employment verification. These do not count toward the three-reference minimum.

  • Character References
    References from friends, family members, or personal acquaintances are not accepted.

Important Reminder

While alternative documentation may be used to verify employment history, My Household Managed must be able to verbally contact a minimum of three qualified references before a candidate can be introduced to a family. This standard is essential to protecting the integrity, discretion, and trust required in private service placements.