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Background check - MBB

Client and MBB
New answer on Sep 11, 2021
8 Answers
1.0 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Sep 09, 2021

Hey everyone,

I have been working in a market research firm for 4 years in North America. My company has started consulting services along with the research 5 months ago. We are not strong in Consulting services as we have just started but I have done couple of projects in consulting.

However, they have not updated on the website yet that we have started consulting services along with the research.

I have mentioned in my CV that I have done couple of consulting projects because obviously I wanted to show the connection to Consulting.

My question - While background check, will this be a red flag because it is not mentioned anywhere on the website that we have started consulting services along with research?

Even though I have done couple of projects in consulting, my managers were not so great so in the background check if they come to me and ask me to prove that I have done consulting projects, it would be difficult for me to prove because of my managers as I am not in good terms with them.

Can someone shed some light on how the background check happens?

I have submitted my application 7 days ago. 

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Best answer
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 09, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

If you did what you mentioned in the CV, you don’t have to worry.

The background check is normally for:

  • Confirmation of employment period
  • Confirmation of job title
  • Reason for leaving
  • Criminal record check

Basically they will check if what you wrote in the application is true. If that’s the case you don’t have to worry.

Best,

Francesco

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Florian
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replied on Sep 09, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

You will be fine. That is not an issue. :-)

Congrats on the offer and all the best!

Florian

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 09, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

You should be fine. So relax.

But, why did you feel the urge to stretch the facts here? Obviously its caused your anxiety now. Its not worth it. No need to exaggerate too much. Be content & proud of whatever experience you have and show that in the best light.

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Sophia
Expert
replied on Sep 09, 2021
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

This won't be an issue! As Francesco mentioned, the background check is mostly used to do a criminal record check and confirm your place and dates of employment. Questions about job description won't really come up. Regarding you having done consulting projects, I think the recruiters/interviewers will take your word on it rather than googling your former company and trying to establish the link themselves. 

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Ian
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replied on Sep 09, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Please don't worry! Background checks are about finding out the truth. If you didn't line, you're fine!

They're not going to say “oh we couldn't find this information, so the candidate must be lying”.

Not only are they very unlikely to check your specific tasks (they really are checking employment dates, roles, companies, etc.), but, worst case scenario, they would literally call your managers and ask them what work you did.

Don't worry, you're perfectly fine!

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Erica
Expert
replied on Sep 09, 2021
Ex-McKinsey / 100% offer rate / LBS / Principle driven / Real case/ If you get the interview, you should get the offer!

Hi there. MBB outsource the background check process to third party. For professional experience, they would ask you to fill in the content online first, including the contact person in the companies you've worked for. Then they send what you filled in to your company to verify you working period and job title. It's totally find if you just fill in the HR email as your contact person, instead of your manager, since all they need is your employment record. (This is what I did for my background check :))

Hope this helps! 

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Pedro
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replied on Sep 10, 2021
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

Just to add that to avoid litigation, HR on the receiving company usually handle the background check requests directly, and they will never say anything negative about you (even if you had been dismissed, they won't give any detail on the reasons), nor they will confirm any info on the specific tasks you undertook.

They'll stick to confirming you have worked there in a certain period holding certain positions in certain departments or locations.

On the other hand, the firm doing the background check won't be looking into any websites. So don't fret about it.

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 11, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi!

This is not something that will come out of a background check.

If you've done consulting projects describe them in your CV - they might help you get into the industry!

Best,

Anto

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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