It is pretty standard actually even in CA. What is scary is a lot of companies are trying to use "back channels". I was shocked when some folks reached out to

It is pretty standard actually even in CA. What is scary is a lot of companies are trying to use "back channels". I was shocked when some folks reached out to me asking about a scoop on former colleagues literally quoting the the "value of back channels". I never heard back when I told them politely I am happy to do so if they gave the candidate a heads up! I noticed this was more prevalent at the unicorns (some kind of badge of honor?) Than at established big cos.