# The reference check for a job that didn't exist.

**[TRUE STORY]** — by Principal engineer · healthtech · company on file

They called both his references. His former CTO spent 40 minutes vouching for him. That was March. It's June.

P. is a principal engineer in healthtech. The process with this company was long — seven rounds across eight weeks — but he passed every one. The recruiter confirmed they were "moving to reference stage" and asked for two names.

He gave them his former CTO and a previous colleague. Both took the calls, both spent 30-40 minutes on the phone. The recruiter confirmed both references were "glowing."

That was March. It's now June. Nobody — including the references — has heard anything since. P. has sent three follow-ups. The role is still listed on the company's careers page with a "urgently hiring" tag.

"I don't even want the job anymore," he says. "I just want to know if it was real."

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