👋 Welcome to Week 27, Elite Edge Fam!

Another week, another dose of real, unfiltered career advice—because navigating the corporate world isn’t just about working hard, it’s about knowing how the game is played.

This week, we’re diving into something huge: Block Lists.

Imagine applying for a job at a company you used to work for—maybe even one where you had great performance reviews. You wait. No response. You follow up. Nothing. Weeks pass, and still… crickets.

Well, Business Insider just exposed the secret “block lists” that companies use to blacklist candidates—without them ever knowing. And trust me, this is a must-read. I’ve linked the article in the “What I Read This Week” section so you can see just how widespread this practice really is.

But you know me—I’m not just here to report the news. I’m here to break it down for you, tell you what’s really happening behind the scenes, and, most importantly, give you the career strategies to stay ahead.

❌ What Are Block Lists? And Why Should You Care?

These aren’t conspiracy theories—they’re real, and they’re everywhere. Tech companies, investment banks, hospitals, even government agencies… they all use versions of a "do not hire" list.

If you leave under less-than-perfect circumstances, you might be flagged as “ineligible for rehire”—and you wouldn’t even know it.

Here’s how people end up on these lists:

• Leaving for a Competitor – Some companies automatically flag employees who move to a rival. No second chances.

• Layoffs & Internal Politics – Even if you were laid off in a restructuring, you could still be labeled as “non-regretted attrition” (a fancy way of saying we won’t hire them back).

• Burning Bridges with the Wrong Person – If your exit was messy or you clashed with leadership, you might be quietly blocked.

• Applying Too Many Times – Some applicant tracking systems will auto-flag you as spam if you mass-apply to multiple jobs at the same company.

🚨 How to Find Out If You’re Blocked

If you suspect you’ve been flagged—but have no way of knowing—there’s a simple trick to find out.

👉 Have a friend call the HR department at your former company and do a reference check on you.

• Ask them to confirm dates of employment, role, and title.

• Then, have them ask one key question:
  “Is this person eligible for rehire?”

💥 BOOM. You’ll know instantly if you’ve been blocked.

If HR refuses to answer or hesitates? That’s a red flag.

💼 The Industry Has a Long Memory

It’s not just corporate HR that keeps track. Investment banks, private equity firms, and even executive search firms keep detailed notes on everyone they meet.

There’s a certain bulge bracket investment bank I know that has an insane memory. They log every interview, every impression, and every personality mismatch. And they do not forget.

And let’s talk about executive search firms—we take deep notes on every executive we meet. Especially the difficult ones.

🚀 Corporate Confession: Why Executives Need to Be Careful

Let me say this loud and clear: Your reputation follows you.

I wouldn’t call it a block list, but let’s be real—recruiters and hiring managers talk. If you’re known for burning bridges, being difficult to work with, or making hiring processes a nightmare, your name will come up in conversations you don’t even know about.

🚨 Executives, take note: Hiring managers and boards trust recruiters. Our judgment matters. When a company is hiring a C-suite exec, they don’t just check LinkedIn—they call us. And one bad comment can haunt you for years.

And let me tell you—the world is smaller than you think. People talk. A LOT.

If you get a reputation for being difficult, word spreads. You might land another role, but your name will surface in backchannel conversations.

Oh, and I have stories. But you’ll have to wait for my podcast—because I’m going deep on this one.

🔑 Career Advice: How to Avoid Getting Blocked

✅ Be intentional with your job applications. Don’t mass-apply to roles at the same company—network first.
✅ Leave companies on good terms. Even if you hate your boss, exit gracefully.
✅ Always ask about your rehire status when leaving a job. Find out what HR is putting in their system.
✅ Manage your professional reputation. Your network is your currency—protect it.

📚What I Read This Week…

🎙️What I Listened to This Week… (Podcasts)

Need a Break? Listen to This and Laugh Out Loud!

Sometimes, you just need to hit pause on work stress and take a walk-and-laugh moment—and this podcast episode with Tina Fey is exactly what you need. It’s lighthearted, hilarious, and the perfect escape from your inbox.

Whether you’re commuting, walking the dog, or just pretending to be productive at your desk, pop this on, enjoy the witty banter, and let yourself laugh out loud. And if someone stares? Who cares—Tina Fey is worth it.

Take a breather, press play, and enjoy. 🎧😂

👉 Listen now: Spotify Episode Link

🎧 Check it out here

And if you want real, unfiltered career advice, keep reading The Elite Edge (and share it with a friend). I’m doing the research so you don’t have to—and trust me, I have plenty more to share. 🚀

— Deepali Vyas
Your Elite Recruiter 

🔗 Follow | Book a Session

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I’ve Finally Put This Together… and You’re Invited!

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These exclusive jobs can not be found on Indeed, LinkedIn or other job boards.

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🔥 Forget Generic — Let’s Get Personal!!

• About Deepali Vyas - Elite Recruiter

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