Rejected because of references
Curious - have anyone been rejected because of behind the back references?
Trending Content - Job Search Advice Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
September 30, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
Yes happens all the time. People love to back channel references. You will never know that’s why you didn’t get the offer of course.
What would be considered a bad reference? Is a ok reference considered poor? Would be good to understand the bar to passing these reference checks
It's a small world, people have all sorts of friends at banks or other firms. While the references you list might all say normal or nice things about you, a problematic reference would be someone calling their buddy and their buddy saying you're bottom bucket, don't do quality work, etc.
Basically if you have any dirty laundry I wouldn't be surprised if it gets aired. You won't ever hear about it, these are "we went with another candidate" situations, but they happen. If I know people in a candidate's group I 1000% do a vibe check with them, pretty much anyone would. On the flip side, most people won't talk shit about you unless you are truly disliked across the group, so I wouldn't be too paranoid if you generally have good standing at work.
Kind of going through this right now, got let go from my most recent gig, but got a new job very quick. Now I’m recruiting again, and thinking about just being up front about it.
The spot wasn’t for me, culture was bad up and down the fund. Over 16 months we had 9 people leave, I was 10… had a culture survey that had our staffer and HR get into a back and forth. Hopefully I just get this new gig without it coming up but kind of nervous
Molestiae tempore praesentium iusto molestiae cumque fuga. Aliquam facere magnam officiis odio nesciunt eos. Atque id aut magni provident architecto. Sit quidem fugiat dicta iste et fuga recusandae.
Dolorum iste perspiciatis voluptate id provident. Minus odio dolore eos quaerat provident cupiditate nulla adipisci. Eveniet veniam at aut vel ut aliquam quas. Quis vero consectetur iusto repellat omnis sed vel. Temporibus officia magnam expedita. Neque animi ut saepe fuga beatae quos.
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...