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Background check - entrepreneurship experience

background check
New answer on Jun 30, 2022
9 Answers
1.2 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 25, 2022

Hey guys,

 

Accepted an offer from MBB. Just filled out the form for the background check that will be conducted by a third-party company.

 

Although  all my experiences normally check out, I have an entrepreneurship experience. While I do have some documents to prove it, I ended up billing for my services through a friend’s company and didn’t finalise the process to create a legal entity (I do have the paperwork to prove that I was on my way to do it though, also have client emails and websites that are now down unfortunately). 

 

I’m worried that these screening companies won’t really understand what I mean, if I were given the chance to speak to HR directly at my MBB it would be easier.

 

Are any of you familiar with the process? What do you think I should do?

 

Thanks for your help!

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Best answer
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 27, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Background checks are nothing to be worried about, as long as you haven´t lied (e.g., saying that you graduated from Uni X when you didn´t, or that you worked in Company Y 2 years instead of 6 months). Minor things, such as 1 month differences, etc. don´t matter. 

Most of the times, they are done by 3rd party companies to which the job is externalized. If they find any discrepancy, they contact you first and clarify it with you. 

For instance, with the MIT background check I had the issue that the external name of my Amazon job is not the same as the one Amazon uses internally -and that was the name given in the certificated that Amazon gives oficially-. It was easily solved by an HR doc that explained that both were the same thing. 

In your case, if they do reach out, just put them in contact to whoever contracted you, and would be done. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

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Moritz
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replied on Jun 26, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos

HI there,

I know of a similar case and it was no big deal. The purpose of the background check is to make sure of the following:

  • You're 'clean' and nothing you have done in the past can come back to MBB (have no criminal record, no dealing in bad faith, etc.) 
  • Your claims about any institutions are truthful (you have the degree X from university Y that you claim, you did hold position A at company B that you claim) 

The moment you don't invoke third parties e.g. companies, universities, because you did something entrepreneurial, it's really not that much of a priority to confirm all the details. Maybe they'll ask for a couple of emails here and there but that should be it.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

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Francesco
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replied on Jun 26, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offer!

I don’t think you have to act now in any particular way. As Ian said, you may have to send the docs later if they ask for information on the job they won’t be able to verify.

All the best for a great start!

Francesco

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Ashwin
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 26, 2022
Ex Consulting Director | Bain and company , Deloitte| INSEAD

At MBB background check is mostly focused on your education credentials and criminal records checks. 

In other industries though the agency doing background check might ask you for references in your last two or three firms and contact them to check if you have worked there. 

 

Thanks

Ashwin 

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Florian
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 27, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Good answers here already, so just on more to ease your mind.

Don't worry! Based on what you describe this is a non-issue for two reasons:

1. It's not one of the core items that they are checking.

2. You can explain it if it should pop up.

All the best and enjoy your time at MBB! :-)

Cheers,
Florian

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Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 30, 2022
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

I wouldn't worry so much about it. 

Even if they do ask, try to provide as much information as you can. It's more of a formality than a stage that can lead to a no-go decision. 

Best,

Cristian

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Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 26, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Congrats on the offer!

You should be just fine. The worst case scenario is the background check comes up blank and you have to prove you did that work. That could be emails, etc.

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Kurt
Expert
replied on Jun 26, 2022
Conducted over 100 interviews for grads, interns & experienced hires

The background check will focus mostly on verifying the degree that you have and any criminal checks / bankruptcies etc. They definitely won't go into the details of how your previous start up was billing.

Best not to take any action. If they contact you then you can provide supporting documents as required.

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Anonymous B replied on Jun 26, 2022

One option could be to talk to your hiring manager and explain the situation to them. It also depends on whether your entrepreneurship experience is relevant towards MBB in general and was something discussed specifically as part if your interview process. It is a slightly generic response but I think these situations are very case dependent.

Possibly the worst case could be the third party may flag it as a red flag and then you may have to explain to the hiring team.

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Clara gave the best answer

Clara

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