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Anonymous A

on Aug 21, 2022

Global

Employment Verification for a defunct operation?

Hi!

I am applying to MBB and in my CV I plan to put down an informal cash-only one-person business that I ran for 9 months (think tutoring-type of business). This business didn't generate enough revenue for it to be taxed. As hence, the business is basically a ghost now. How would employment verification work in this case? Will an offer not be made/rescinded because I simply will not be able to prove that I ran this?

I still think I have a chance at MBB because I have gotten a first class honours from Imperial in Mathematics and have military experience with the special forces and stuff.

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Top answer

Cristian

Coach

on Aug 22, 2022

#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi there,

I wouldn't worry about it. Just explain them the situation if they ask about it, but I doubt they will.

Best,

Cristian

Emily

Coach

on Aug 21, 2022

Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

I agree with Ian - if it's a registered company then you can list it (I can't comment on the tax side but I assume that you should at least have filled in a return, even if it ultimately wasn't subject to tax if the profits were too small). If not then I'd list it in interests.

Ian

Coach

on Aug 21, 2022

Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

From a legal perspective I am a bit concerned…no business is tax-exempt (at least from my understanding of US tax law). Double check this one.

I think you can include it, but be careful how you list it. You can't claim that it's a company if you're just tutoring people, mowing lawns etc. Unless you have a real website and a registered business, make sure to list it more as a hobby/side job.

Deleted user

on Aug 21, 2022

Hello,

I would probably list something like this as a side-hustle / self-employment, and make it very clear what the nature of the operations were. I.e. you did tutoring, but more in your own capacity rather than for some large corporate entity.

Pedro

Coach

on Aug 30, 2022

Bain | EY-Parthenon | Senior Coach | Principal | Recruiting Team Leader

If this was a registered company, you should state it. Otherwise, put it as a hobby / personal venture.

In general, you won't have problems by stating the truth.