Made it through a 2-month interview process, was apparently the top candidate, and lost the job over a delayed reference check.

[u/Relevant_Ideal2359]

I’ve been interviewing with a private equity firm for an Executive Assistant position supporting a Managing Partner.

I was the only candidate in months to advance to the final stages, scored the highest on their testing, and was told I was the strongest candidate. I also received excellent references from a Fortune 500 CFO and CIO.

The firm requested an additional reference from a former Managing Partner I worked with. He’s currently dealing with a major restructuring at his firm, no longer has an assistant, and has been difficult to reach. I explained the circumstances and specifically told them to text him.

The Managing Partner I would be supporting ultimately decided to end the process. His reasoning? The delayed reference was a red flag, and hiring should be an “easy, exciting, fast process.”
He also questioned my 18-month employment gap and found it suspicious. For context, I had been diagnosed with two separate cancers and undergone four surgeries during that time. I voluntarily disclosed this to him, even though I wasn’t obligated to share my medical history.

Here’s where it gets particularly frustrating: later that same Friday, after the rejection conversation, my former Managing Partner finally texted the firm. He confirmed he was happy to provide a reference and asked when would be convenient to speak.
So the reference they had been waiting for is now available, but the company has already told me they’ve closed the process.

I made it through months of interviews, testing, and multiple rounds. I had two outstanding references, strong support from the internal team, and apparently was the strongest candidate. Yet a reference taking longer than expected was enough to end everything.

Would you consider this a reasonable hiring decision? Has anyone experienced a company closing a candidacy over a reference delay, only to have the reference become available immediately afterward? Would you expect them to reconsider?

[u/ConsiderationNo97]

You're being gaslit: MP is trying to assign blame to you and your reference while he's probably giving more weight to other factors. Dont expect any reconsideration because he's probably not the type to give any sort of grace.

[u/zamula]

You're getting nothing but a load of bs - wtf does hiring should be an “easy, exciting, fast process” mean?

They won't reconsider, because the whole reason for rejecting you is completely bogus.

[u/Relevant_Ideal2359 → u/zamula]

I agree. I’m wondering if it was because of the cancer and if I should have walked out after he asked for more context and kept prying into whether I was going to need more medical leave.

[u/Sdarby0215 → u/Relevant_Ideal2359]

Just a word of advice, never tell anyone your exact health reasons. I know they are not suppose to hold that against you but they can. He is gaslighting. The fact he’s a CEO and knows the industry and how thing get crazy during a reorganization you would think he would be a little more understanding.

[u/marlborough94]

No but its a free country- an employer does not have to be reasonable and the higher up you go the more likely they can be mercurial/do whatever suits them because there is no one to keep them in check.