Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your situation, even if self-inflicted!

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably interesting for a lot of users, thus I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

• Consulting firms have their own policies and procedures for evaluating candidates, and the impact of a criminal record on a candidate's ability to be hired will depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the nature of the offense.
• It is generally advisable for candidates to be transparent and upfront about any issues that may come up in a background check. In your case, it may be helpful to explain the situation in detail and to emphasize that the offense was a one-time occurrence and not related to your professional aspirations or ability to perform the job.
• Ultimately, the decision to hire a candidate is made by the consulting firm, and they will take into consideration a variety of factors when evaluating candidates. It is important to focus on your strengths and qualifications, and to demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and development.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on what to do in your specific situation, please feel free to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

It's good of you wanting to be upfront. However, this will likely mean that they will remove you from consideration. There's a reason why MBB do very thorough background checks and they really do want their candidates to be squeaky clean. 

So far, every case I know of where people had a record for anything (drug related or otherwise), they did not proceed. But then again, I only know of a handful of cases and perhaps there's some success stories out there.

I agree with you that it's more forgivable than financial fraud and that sort of thing but MBB don't really make that distinction. Make sure to impress them and own your past confidently and perhaps there's a path forward.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Moritz

Sorry to hear about that situation. A criminal record will be an issue with most jobs and companies, not just consulting. It is advisable to be transparent about it and hope for the best since you’d definitely be disqualified if it comes up in your background check undisclosed.

Given that situation, you should apply to a large number of jobs to increase your odds and have a convincing story prepared as to why your criminal record does not reflect the person you are today.

Good luck

Hello!

I don't think they ask you for criminal records, at least I haven't been asked for them (in Europe, in US I actually cannot remember). In any case, this is not something that should prevent you from applying. Go ahead, and this is a bridge that you will cross if it comes to that. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi there,

Unfortunately this really isn't good. Yes it does seriously affect your chances.

The main thing you can do is the same as what everyone can do: get as good an application as possible, network a ton (and ask them about the criminal record implication for their firm), and apply to a lot of places.

Hello,

My personal opinion is that you should wait until your record is clear and only then apply. There is a risk that you might get blacklisted from any firm that you apply to now.

Note: I have never encountered such a situation before and this, of course, should NOT be construed as my professional or a legal opinion.

Regards,

Rushabh

In my opinion, a criminal record will make it quite challenging for you to travel to certain countries for work (like Canada according to my understanding). For that reason, consulting firms with the possibility of travel may decide to turn you away.

The market for talent is competitive meaning it could be tough for you, as companies tend to be quite conservative when hiring.

(edited)