🎙️
32

Warning: Getting a referral from a friend at a big company backfired on me

I asked my buddy to refer me to his team at a software company in Austin. He wrote me a glowing referral note and everything. Got the interview fast, but then the interviewer spent half the time asking about my friend's work habits and projects. I felt like I was being judged on his performance not mine. In the end they passed on me and I think it was because my friend had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Learned my lesson. Has anyone else had a referral hurt them instead of help?
3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In
3 Comments
jade_johnson
Read this thing online where HR folks admit they check referrals like references in reverse. If your buddy has any baggage, it lands on you. Sucks but that's how those big companies operate, they'd rather skip a good hire than risk another difficult personality.
2
chen.adam
chen.adam1mo agoProlific Poster
Referrals blew up in my face once too. Never again.
7
john650
john6501mo ago
Heard a similar story on a podcast. Referrals can be a double edged sword for sure.
1