Personal referees for summer intern?

Hi, I have an offer at a bank for a summer intern in IBD, and want to take it. However, one of the things that they ask for is that I list two personal referees. Has anyone had this before? Did they actually contact the people that were listed? If so, what questions did they ask?

 

Haven't heard of referees at any banks.. must be a new thing. i'm sure they're only there to keep things fair among the analyst and eliminate foul play. could be part of the whole enhancement of the junior banker experience - refs keeping an eye on MDs to make sure they don't "foul" the analyst.

anyone else have any thought on the matter?

 
whatstheplan:

Banking01 - you're going to get destroyed on this (you are not quite ready to move up to Banking02 yet). They are asking for personal references, not referees.

Hey dumb fuckface, I actually literally copied 'referee' from the email that they wrote me. Maybe you should start worrying about 'whatsteplan' with your career at McDonalds.

 
Banking01:
Hey dumb fuckface, I actually literally copied 'referee' from the email that they wrote me. Maybe you should start worrying about 'whatsteplan' with your career at McDonalds.

Don't take the internet personally and your life will be much happier.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 
Best Response
Banking01:

Hey dumb fuckface, I actually literally copied 'referee' from the email that they wrote me. Maybe you should start worrying about 'whatsteplan' with your career at McDonalds.

I always cringe when the word 'literally' is used incorrectly, ie as an 'intensifier' instead of being contrasted with 'figuratively', ie 'literal translation'. Although in this particular instance it actually appears that 'literally' is literally used correctly.

 

Well this one got out of hand quickly...

OP: you're asking about references and if it's a typical request? I can't tell you specifically about an internship but yes, references are absolutely typical, at least in the US. If you're a student without any professional experience they're going to be more personal than professional: teachers/professors, maybe bosses you've had at non-professional jobs, extra curricular advisors, that type of thing. They'll generally ask about you, character (although this may break reference laws if it's with a previous employer even if that was at the local grocery store), and things like that.

As you advance in your career you'll pick up professional references who can attest to what you've actually done. I think the last time I switched jobs I ended up giving over 10 people to talk to and I didn't even apply to that job-they wanted me.

 

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