Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +130 | UBS Layoffs (October 2026) | 41 | 44m |
| +95 | Do people still want to go PE? | 30 | 29m |
| +62 | Bloomberg - New UBS Investment Bankers See Smaller Pay Gain on Promotion | 15 | 3h |
| +46 | Think I'm fucking up my analyst years | 16 | 3d |
| +33 | What Differentiates the Best Analysts as AI Improves? | 10 | 1h |
| +31 | Lazard hirevue | 11 | 4h |
| +27 | Big 4 M&A vs. Lincoln Portfolio Valuations | 6 | 4d |
| +26 | Ambitious CC Student trying to break into IB | 13 | 3d |
| +22 | Cornell Club T10 Rankings (UPDATED 10/2026) | 14 | 17h |
| +21 | AI is incredible, how can analysts have an edge? | 29 | 3h |
Career Resources
If you lied on your resume or cover letter.
This happened to me a few years back. After the final round interview the firm asked me for references the next day. A few days later I received an offer.
Hmm. Is it possible they'd be asking every candidate for references and then check them to compare? They asked for mine last week and called them over the past couple of days. No idea what that says about my status.
Anybody?
Asked for references after super day? (Originally Posted: 11/15/2011)
Recently had a super day with a top mm firm for full time and two days later I was asked to provide a few references. What does this mean? Am I a borderline candidate?
Thanks this is probably my last shot so I gave it everything I got.
For what it's worth, I went through the same thing. Went through the superday, got asked to provide references a day or two later, offer a couple days after that. I would think you're at least in consideration for an offer if they're still asking for references after a superday.
agree with the above post. i don't think they ask you for references if they weren't seriously considering offering you a job
Is it normal for a firm to ask for references at the first interview? (Originally Posted: 10/24/2013)
From my experience most of the high profile jobs do not ask for references until an offer is made. Is it ok to leave the application blank and offer references only after an offer has been made to ensure that they are really serious.
I was put in a similar boat. They did tell me that they won't contact them until an offer is given and then with only your explicit permission. Try to clear that up with them if you can.
References before decisions (Originally Posted: 05/04/2010)
Do BB/elite boutique banks check your references before they give you an offer or afterwards?
After
Mine checked before... Actually before the second round interview.
Are you asking about references in the context of considering your candidacy, or as in a background check?
If the former, youngmonkey's right, if they do check it will be before the interview.
I'd assumed you meant the latter, which would happen after you've signed the offer.
Well if you submit references that they said they needed before your final round interview. So i guess that would be for more background check?
For clarification, would they call up your references before an offer, or while you are still in the interview process?
References - Final round (Originally Posted: 03/09/2010)
So after a round of interviews, I'm told I'm in the "final round" where they check references.
So essentially, they have X ppl, and they choose 1 based on references?
Problem being, my previous company has a policy that "we'll only give out your name and dates you worked for us". What're my chances of getting past that final round, considering my main reference will virtually be a standard line from legal department?
well the company ur interviewing with will want to verify that u worked for them when u said u did.
if the firm is seriously considering you, they'll probably call a contact you may have worked with for a recommendation
They will find someone to call on your behalf. Or, they may offer you the job, and call when you are there already.
A typical reference call that I have received goes -- tell me about aaaaa, is there any reason I should not hire aaaaa, how did aaaa get along with teamworkers, and what should aaaaaa improve on? ..... I hope this helps.
Many firms are prohibited by internal policy from giving references- they can only give employment confirmation. In reality, there's unofficial channels in which people will find out how you work with others, but officially, most firms only do employment confirmation.
Yes they'll call the contact and ask about me.
Problem is it's company policy (of the firm I had worked with before that they're contacting) not to reveal anything other than name and dates of employment.
I'm guessing the current company I'm interviewing at would want more than that, otherwise how would they narrow down to one candidate based on that?
I am trying to tell you that in spite of the limited discussion policy, hiring companies do find information out about you, they may call a client, or may call a colleague who doesn't follow policy - I have seen this happen.
I hope they ask one of the senior ppl about my past then... I tend to have better (and more consistent) relationships with them, while my relations with junior staff can fluctuate.
Omnis labore pariatur omnis vel sint. Est id perspiciatis commodi doloremque aliquid id rerum. Libero ea amet eveniet eius consectetur quia voluptates. Aut fugiat dolorum quia eos nisi.
Voluptatibus soluta occaecati sunt qui. Expedita omnis itaque eaque in earum nam. Hic sed ut sit facilis.
Suscipit sunt architecto quas suscipit. Molestiae sint a ut delectus voluptas. Optio delectus aut occaecati velit accusamus perspiciatis. Qui minima sapiente sint cum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Et ducimus facilis nostrum voluptate quam. Quidem quia necessitatibus quasi dolorem. Soluta voluptatem soluta qui accusamus ut id eveniet. Sit excepturi reprehenderit illo. Omnis in est est.