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Should I tell the company which fired me, which company am I joining?

I was counseled out from my previous firm and just found a new role (which is not a direct competitor). While I do not want to tell the firm which company am I joining - I could not avoid this as I need the partner to help me do my “reference check”. 

Is there anything I need to take into consideration if I tell this partner which company I am joining? So many experts advise against letting colleagues know which firm you are joining before you have onboarded. In some rare cases, offers might even get rescinded during the reference check stage. Would like to seek your advice on this!

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Raj
Coach
on Oct 24, 2023
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

I understand your concern about sharing the name of the company you're joining with the partner who will be conducting your reference check. While it is generally advised to avoid disclosing this information before you have officially onboarded, there are certain considerations to keep in mind.

Firstly, it's important to assess the level of trust and rapport you have built with the partner. If you have a strong relationship and feel confident in their discretion, sharing the name of the company may not pose significant risks.

However, if you have any reservations or concerns about potential repercussions, it may be wise to exercise caution. You can politely explain to the partner that due to the sensitive nature of the situation and the potential risks associated with sharing this information prematurely, you would prefer to withhold the specific details until after you have completed the onboarding process.

Alternatively, you can provide them with a general description of the company without disclosing its name. This way, you can still receive a reference check while maintaining a level of confidentiality.

on Oct 25, 2023
#1 rated McKinsey Coach | top MBB coach

Sorry to hear about this situation and I can imagine it must quite stressful for you.

But I also wouldn't be too concerned. Realistically, if they need to do a reference check, your new employer will contact HR / senior leadership in your previous organisation.

You can share the name of the firm you'll be joining with these people, but also tell them that for now, you're not telling other people until the entire process is finalised. 

That's all. Hope it all goes smoothly for you from here on.

Best,
Cristian

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Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

Nikita
Coach
edited on Oct 22, 2023
MBB & Tier2 preparation | 100+ offers | 8 years coaching | 3000+ sessions

Hi,

Unless you did something really nasty at your former job, I don't think anyone at the previous company would intentionally want to get your offer rescinded or damage your employment at the new firm in any way. It makes more sense to keep good relations with people than the other way around, as you can never know for sure where you'll end up. 

Not everyone follows this logic, though.

If you are concerned about that and if you really need to tell someone about the new place for the reference check, I would just make sure it's the person you can trust and with whom you have good professional relations with. Obviously don't choose the person(s) you may have had conflicts with for that role.

Good luck at a new place!
Nick

 

Ian
Coach
on Oct 23, 2023
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

You kind of don't have a choice here. You need to provide a reference so you can't avoid this. That said, make sure you pick the best person possible (whoever was at the firm who liked your worked and/or defended you).

=======ADVICE FOR SUCCEEDING IN THIS NEXT JOB=====

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Know that no-one can perfectly prepare for the job and that's the point: You will mess up, you will learn, you will be trained and supported. That's OK!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First: Read the 25 tips in my consulting handbook

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second: In terms of things you can learn/do to prepare beforehand:

1) Daily Reading

  • The Economist, The Financial Times, BCG/Mskinsey Insights

2) Industry deep-dives

  • Learn, in-depth, how the industries/companies your office advises, work. (PM me for an industry overview template)

3) Analytics tools

  • Alteryx, Tableau, etc.

4) Excel

5) Powerpoint

  • Best practices/standards
  • Different layouts
  • Quickly editing/updating slides
  • Thinking in PowerPoint

6) Presentation skills / sharp communication

  • There are some online/virtual classes for this

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third: In terms of doing well in your role when you're there:

1) Understand the context/prompt (what role are you in, what company, who's watching, etc.)

2) Understand the objective (what, specifically, is expected from you...both day to day, and in your overall career progression)

3) Quickly process information, and focus on what's important - Take a lot of information and the unknown, find the most logical path, and focus on that.

4) Be comfortable with the unknown, and learn to brainstorm - think/speak like an expert without being one

In summary, there will always be a flood of information, expectations, competition etc. and not enough time. Find out which ones matter when. (i.e. be visibile and focus efforts on the things that people care about)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fourth: Here are some great prior Q&As for you!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-makes-a-good-consultant-how-to-get-a-good-review-6790

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-hard-is-it-to-excel-in-top-consulting-firms-6762

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-become-an-engagement-manager-and-partner-quickly-6722

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/need-to-learn-skills-in-the-ample-free-time-before-starting-at-an-mbb-what-should-i-do-6774

Pedro
Coach
on Oct 23, 2023
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

Not sure why people advise against informing colleagues which firm you are joining. 

In any case, if they will be reaching out to that partner, it is wise to let them know - although you can ask for discretion, i.e. that you are not sharing around before you onboard and would appreciate their cooperation.

Anonymous A
on Oct 23, 2023
Perfect solution! Thanks!
Moritz
Coach
edited on Oct 23, 2023
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises

Hi there,

Glad to hear you found something good after being CTL'ed. This is super common and a great way to enter the next phase of your career!

As for your question: 

If you're being asked for references, you'll have to provide them. I would advocate for transparency, but well thought through:

  • Assumption: Despite the fact that you're being ‘fired‘ (which isn't a term I would use, because being CTL'ed is really quite a different philisophy), you must have some supporters in the firm. They could be Partners, APs, EMs, PD, etc. This is assuming that you're not being asked to leave because of something major e.g., HR incident, breach of contract, etc.
  • Advice: Identify those individuals who want to see you succeed, and they will put in a good word. This is also pure self-interest, because any good consultancy likes to have their ‘agents’ placed all over and keep some kind of connection. Whether you're joining a (potential) competitor or (potential) client, it doesn't matter. They will want to see you in a good and influential position and remember them positively. This is part of any MBB’s business model.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Moritz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Need a senior McKinsey coach? See my profile in a nutshell
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Alberto
Coach
on Oct 24, 2023
Ex-McKinsey AP | Training top candidates to perform at MBB level and win the offer

Hi there,

I strongly recommend you inform your previous company which firm are you joining. Make sure to select the appropriate person for this. I would talk with an HR representative or a partner you have a good relationship with.

Best,

Alberto

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

on Oct 24, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: Is there anything I need to take into consideration if I tell this partner which company I am joining?

If they are going to reach out to someone in the company, it is a good idea to inform that person first. If you have the option, I would choose someone from the previous company with whom you had a good relationship.

As mentioned by Pedro, you can explain you would prefer to keep the company confidential until you join and ask for their support for that. 

Best,

Francesco

on Oct 23, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

I had to also provide reference checks for one of my offers, but typically they do not specify who it needs to be.

It will be credible as long as its a supervisor, which means you could try to get a manager/someone who supervised you before as a reference.

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