Please help! - Reference check BCG

Question

I just receive the offer letter from BCG in Asia, and already signed it. But recently they request me provide referee contacts for the check up. My situation is I still have good relationship with my mentor and HR at the last firm, my performance I believe great. However some infor in my resume I gave are a bit hyperbole (eg. KPIs). So is there any chance BCG check that and take back the offer? How can I mitigate that?

Please help! This is the opportunity I'm putting all my effort on TT

Thank you!

Answer 1

hey there!

It's very unlikely BCG will revoke your offer over slightly exaggerated KPIs, especially if your overall performance and references are strong. To mitigate risk, align with your referee in advance by letting them know what you included on your resume so they're not caught off guard. Stay calm and professional, unless the info was clearly false or misleading, this is usually not a major issue. Don’t try to change referees or block the check, as that could raise concerns. If asked directly, be honest and clarify the context without over-defending. You’ve earned the offer—just keep things consistent and transparent.

Best, Alessa

Answer 2

I understand the concern. And congrats, by the way!

I would be very transparent with them in providing the references they should reach out to.

In case BCG then asks you about the KPIs, I suggest you should be transparent here too. I would appeal to their understanding of how the recruitment process goes, and that in the process of writing the CV most candidate end up emphasizing their impact and contribution. What I wouldn't do is purposefully hide it from them.

If you dug yourself into a whole, don't make it way way deeper by doing something even worse.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi there,

Usually the background check wouldn't go into very specific details on your resume. Typically the reference call would ask whether the person knows the candidate, what was the role or responsibilities of the candidate, how would the person rate the candidate's capabilities, does the person believe the candidate would be a good fit, etc.

I don't know to what degree were those KPIs being exaggerated and hence hard to comment. If you are feeling really uncomfortable, you might want to give a heads up to your mentor beforehand...

Best,

Emily