First, 'pollyanna advice' is unnecessarily harsh. Even saying 'overly optimistic' would be a huge improvement... Second, yes there are ways that someone could

First, 'pollyanna advice' is unnecessarily harsh. Even saying 'overly optimistic' would be a huge improvement... Second, yes there are ways that someone could keep another from getting hired, but they are supremely (as in multi-million dollar lawsuit) risky. When it comes to the back channel, it is important to remember that everybody talks all the time and favours never come free.