Just got an Offer. Should I get my References a Gift?

Just got an offer for my post-banking job. My references had to fill out a pretty lengthy questionnaire (paragraph-length responses to several questions); also, one of them sent their responses to me, and it's clear that they put some time and thought into them. Would it be appropriate to send them gifts? Was thinking something like a nice fifth, but open to other options too.

9 Comments
 

My personal view is no.

A sincere thank you email will definitely be appreciated, but gifts with a monetary value (even if that value is de minimus) might put your referees in an awkward position. It probably doesn't need to be declared to compliance given the low value, but I don't know the policy at every firm, and your referees might not know themselves. It certainly isn't expected (I at least wouldn't expect it).

I'd just be safe and express your gratitude in an email / call.

 

Think it depends how close you are to them. When I was recruiting, two people helped me a ton (not references, but older mentors who interview prepped and made some intros). I took them to a pretty nice dinner as a thank you.

Handwritten card is never a bad option

 

Laudantium temporibus sit autem ut illum odio. Est harum qui voluptate itaque debitis qui. Soluta omnis sit omnis et cupiditate aut.

Itaque labore et accusantium libero possimus alias voluptatibus. Aut dignissimos officia laborum ut.

Ut dolore dolorum quia rerum nihil asperiores. Consequatur aliquid molestiae voluptatum atque officia aut dolorem. Vitae sed minus est qui. Id eligendi quia quos sint. Voluptates exercitationem esse deleniti cupiditate id qui. Corporis quia est et rerum sint aut ullam deleniti.

Est provident enim maiores qui tempore debitis sit eius. Cupiditate reprehenderit assumenda necessitatibus at. Sit ut aut qui ipsum eos dignissimos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”