Concern about background check

[giovanniviala]

Hello Stacy,

I would like to ask you a question about the background check carried out by universities.

I am Italian. I have worked for 5 years and I am concerned by the fact the university might check my first experience of one year: I was working in China and was employed illegally (no visa, no contract - the company was giving me a salary every month under the table). I am sure that the company will refuse to answer to any question from a third party. They are extremely conservative.

What do you advise me to do?

I thank you in advance for your help.

Regards,

Giovanni

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Giovanni,

I would suggest you offer the school an explanation of the situation in your application. I'm not sure how working illegally in China will look to the schools, but better to be upfront and honest about it, then have the school try to contact the company and be told you never worked there.

Good luck,
Lisa