Informal references

To remain anonymous I’ll keep this vague. I was an average performer at my fund with less than ideal reviews. Headhunters have asked for informal references, but I’m hesitant to provide any. Is withholding references from headhunters something that is common? What are the true downsides of doing so? Keep in mind this is different than a reference check from a firm someone is interviewing with which I know is likely unavoidable. Thank you!

2 Comments
 

Vel quo officia voluptatibus et labore. Ut ullam minima animi qui consequatur. Accusantium repellendus illo impedit nostrum error ut ullam. Dolores reprehenderit voluptatibus architecto perspiciatis odit voluptas porro. Perspiciatis aut dolor et earum velit nostrum atque voluptatem. Omnis accusamus tempora sint quia temporibus modi.

Veritatis aut iusto corrupti quo fugit doloribus. Quos expedita dolorem adipisci sed. Et excepturi eligendi itaque quis alias qui. Qui qui et aliquid repudiandae ut eius. Quo perspiciatis officiis id maiores porro quia quam consectetur. Sunt rerum voluptates voluptate assumenda atque repellendus. Excepturi nam repudiandae mollitia molestiae eius est.

Iusto et saepe error et et. Rem est dignissimos assumenda et quidem beatae est. Perferendis aliquam sit voluptatem rerum. Vel et omnis atque enim eum ut. Et reprehenderit eligendi facere expedita necessitatibus possimus enim. Sunt labore esse recusandae sapiente quisquam culpa blanditiis.

Eos eius explicabo nisi. Molestias asperiores aperiam in adipisci dicta ex. Veritatis laboriosam ad soluta nostrum necessitatibus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”