What to do in a situation when my previous internship experience went bad?

Application
New answer on Dec 10, 2019
4 Answers
1.5 k Views
James asked on Oct 22, 2019

Hey Guys,

I am currently doing a 1 year masters in the UK and am sending off applications for Consultancy. During my undergrad, I did a 1 year internship at a big name consumer goods company (think P&G, Unilever, Nestle, Johnson&Johnson) in a product supply role. During my internship, I did not enjoy it whatsoever, and my overall performance was mediocre. My manager wasn't happy with me but I didn't get fired as I wasn't terrible either. Obviously I didn't get a return offer.

I am now worried if whatever company I am applying for will contact my previous employer and ask them about my performance and whether or not I got a return offer. Will they ask for a reference or anything? What can I do about such situation? Should I be honest and tell them I didnt get a return offer. I'm worried if they contact my previous manager and he tells them I was "poor".

Any advice will be appreciated

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Deniz
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 25, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call

Hi,

Background checks do not take place in most of the European offices (in some cases, they do not even ask for your diploma/transcripts). Even if they run the check, there is nothing to worry about as it won't be a performance-related discussion.

Best,

Deniz

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 23, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi James,

as mentioned by Vlad, the background check is on the fact you worked in a previous company, not on your performance. The only risk I see is that one of the interviewers by chance knows your former boss and asks for feedback – I would say this is quite unlikely, thus I would not worry about it.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 10, 2019
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Disagree with some of the posts below, since MBB does background checks regading (1) academics and (2) past work experience. Actually, it´s done after you sign the contract, and in the contract itself there is a part where it says that if you have lied, they have the right to take it back -same as with the MBAs-.

This said, they won´t ask your previously company for feedback -it´s just too time consuming-. What for sure will happen is a question, as you were mentioning, about why not coming back. In that case, have your answer ready explaining yuor motives and it should be ok (e.g., lack of fit, you realized that particular industry/segment was not your thing, etc.)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad
Expert
replied on Oct 22, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

MBB companies do the background check but it's not about the feedbacks. They just need to check if you really worked there. So relax, and concentrate on interview prep

Best

Was this answer helpful?
Deniz gave the best answer

Deniz

Content Creator
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call
800
Meetings
697
Q&A Upvotes
65
Awards
5.0
122 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely