1 Month Discrepancy in Internship dates for Background Check

Question

Hi all,

I just received an offer from one of the Bs. However, a few years ago, during college I had an internship which was originally from April - May, but I marked the dates as March - May in my resume. Now in the background checks, I have entered April - May, and even my then employer verified the same dates (April - May).

Since it is a month, and was a few years ago, is it a concern for the firm, and can my offer be rescinded? It was an honest mistake and to be honest, I dont believe that one extra month had any significant bearing on my application. Would love some advice here.

Answer 1

Hi there,

Congrats on the offer!

I don't think this would be an big issue, it is really just a small discrepancy that doesn't really matter to the firm. If the company ever ask, just be honest that you made a mistake and explain nicely and politely.

Best of luck!

Emily

Answer 2

Hi there,

My sense is that this shouldn’t be a big issue. Background checks are mostly about verifying major inconsistencies, and a one-month discrepancy from a few years ago, especially since you’ve now corrected it, is usually seen as an honest mistake. Just be transparent if they ask, and it’s very unlikely to affect your offer.

Answer 3

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offer!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

First of all, a one-month difference in internship dates from a few years ago is certainly not a dealbreaker - especially since the role and company match and the error doesn’t inflate your experience.
Moreover, background checks at top firms are mainly to catch serious red flags like fake jobs, degrees, or major gaps. Small clerical issues like this happen often and are usually not escalated.
Lastly, I would advise you to stick to the correct dates going forward and just be honest if asked. It’s easy to explain as a small typo from back in college.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming consulting career start, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen