Will you get back-channeled by prospective employers before you get hired? Spoiler alert: yes
- On June 13, 2026
WSJ says “What your former co-workers think of you could land you a job or torpedo your chances.” Is this true? Absolutely. Employers often look beyond your list of references and reach out to shared connections to find out what you are like to work with.
Why are employers back-channeling candidates now? WSJ lists a couple reasons:
- Circumventing AI. “Now that job candidates are using artificial intelligence to write résumés and coach them through virtual interviews, businesses are desperate for human insight. So they are leaning in to backdoor references more than ever.”
- Official references give too limited a picture. As WSJ puts it: “Almost everyone can cherry-pick a few former colleagues willing to say nice things about them. Getting candid assessments, some companies believe, requires quietly contacting a different set of past managers and co-workers.” And WSJ correctly states “You might not like the idea of people talking behind your back, but ask yourself: If you applied for a job and knew someone who worked for the hiring manager, would you contact that person on the sly to get the lowdown? Of course, you would.”
In my experience, companies back-channel for in-house roles for two additional reasons:
- Long-term commitment. Getting approval to increase legal headcount is tough, so when managers hire, they want to make sure the hire is a good fit and there for the long haul.
- Diligence is easy. Lawyers are trained to do diligence, and it’s easy for them to use LinkedIn, which shows exactly who you know in common and often the context, e.g., if you went to school or worked together.
I agree with WSJ that back-channeled references aren’t necessarily negative: “While the potential for score-settling makes job applicants sweat, it isn’t as if people are constantly backstabbing one another….” Indeed, an independent recruiter interviewed says “I’ve actually seen backdoor references help people more often, as opposed to being a detriment” Indeed, “When you and other candidates have similar qualifications, a strong endorsement can push you over the top.”
Now you know you will likely be back-channeled, what should you do? Do a good job at work, try to treat everyone well, and stay in touch with people. Basically, be a good human being, and not a weird bot!
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