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Just got asked for a back channel reference for someone via a LinkedIn DM that I’m not connected to nor ever worked with.
If this is how references are being done in 2025 — I’m scared 🤡 🤡
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If you’re doing a back channel reference via LinkedIn, here’s how to do it:
• Go to the person’s LinkedIn profile and jot down (digitally or physically, you do you) their past companies
• Go to your mutual connections with them and then put in the filter “Past Company” (1 at a time) their past companies that you noted
• DM those folks to get a back channel reference
Hope this is helpful for folks 😊
Both employment references and sales references are moving in this direction 👻 it's a wild time to be in this field AND on the market.
Buckle down the hatches and the collect your supplies to make it through this time ❤️
This is exactly why I have always said, the health of your advocacy program is measured in what your customers say about you when you’re not in the room.
10000%
Now, I have a negative perception of this CEO who couldn’t do a back channel reference correctly, @Ari Hoffman.
I cannot tell you how often I have people that I do not know, never spoken or written to, who reach out asking for a referral to someone else. If they really put effort into it and explain why they’re specifically going through me, of course I’ll consider it, but if they just put the ask out without context, I simply move them to the “OTHER” folder.
That’s also where people who ask to connect because we have mutual connections and interests, then the second I accept I get hit with a 3 paragraph sales play, they go to the ‘other’ wasteland as well. I’ve got a purgatory filled with these hopeless souls.
“Other wasteland” 😂 😂
Best thing I’ve heard today, @Ari Hoffman — thank you for that one!! I’m taking it 💯
My favorites are those who try to CEO-explain things to me or “walk over to me” to be a guest on my podcast.
I think a lot of companies are doing backdoor references now... But if you’re a candidate I also recommend doing your own backdoor reference on the company. Glassdoor is not super trustworthy and I have gotten good insights from people who were previously in the position or team.
Fully support the motion of a back channel reference for candidates, too!