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How is background check in Singapore and Australian offices for consulting?

background check
Recent activity on Dec 31, 2021
7 Answers
1.7 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Nov 30, 2020

I omitted my short experience (~2 months and got fired) on my CV and application portal but I got offers from tier 2 consultancies. (I didn't lie but the experience wasn't relevent for my application no?)

How does the background check work? Should I put the experience on background check sheet? How can I explain this to the HR?

THEY CLEARLY SEE A ~4 MONTHS GAP IN MY APPLICATION AND MIGHT PROBABLY ASK WHAT DID I DO/WHY THERE IS A GAP-SHOULD I TELL THIS?

(edited)

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 30, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there!

It depends on the firm, but some tend to verify every detail on a resume, including dates of employment and GPAs. So omitting this short work experience may cause some problems.

It's hard to say whether you should put it on the background check sheet, as it's still up to you, my advice is to think of valid points when explaining to the HR and be transparent. Ask yourself for some more reasons except being irrelevant that forced you not to put it on your CV.

Hope it helps.

GB

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 01, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Nothing to worry about, since the issues come only when you have lied by saying you did something that you didn´t (e.g., worked here X months, graduated from Y, etc.)

What you omitted, they have no way to check -and none cares-.

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara

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Anonymous A on Dec 01, 2020

They can clearly see a ~4 months gap in my application and might probably ask what did i do/why there is a gap-should i tell this?

Vlad
Expert
replied on Nov 30, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Several points:

  1. I doubt they can check it if you did not put it into your resume
  2. Tier 2 companies are not really checking the background
  3. Even if they check - they check if you are holding any equity and that you really worked for these companies.

Overall, the risk is close to 0. Don't put it anywhere

Best

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Anonymous A on Dec 01, 2020

They can clearly see a ~4 months gap in my application and might probably ask what did i do/why there is a gap-should i tell this?

Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 01, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I do not see any risk. Congrats for the offer :)

Best,
Anto

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Anonymous A on Dec 01, 2020

They can clearly see a ~4 months gap in my application and might probably ask what did i do/why there is a gap-should i tell this?

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 01, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Omission in this case is not the same as lying...background checks are normally to make sure that you did not include an experience/role/grade that is not true.

They generally can't check against nothing.

That being said, if they do bring it up, just be honest! Say that you were indeed in a role, but that it was only for 2 months. You didn't include it in the resume because you didn't feel it added value to your application (I have omitted more than half of my work experiences from my resume for this very reason! It's perfectly fine).

No need to pro-actively flag anything. Be prepared if they ask, but no need to bring it up.

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Pedro
Expert
replied on Dec 31, 2021
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

There is no problem if you didn't mention a place where you did work.

There is a problem if you mention a place there you didn't work.

Regarding the background check, they will usually use a third party which asks you to fill in a form where you put your previous experience there. In this case you should state the several places where you worked. The reason for termination is not checked, so don't worry about it.

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Anonymous replied on Dec 31, 2020

Hi,

Should not be a problem. 4 months gap is not a disaster and especially if it is a position <2 months. I personally have multiple gaps that is caused because I am taking a break. Never an issue and never questioned.

Best,
Iman

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