Verification process

[Carterman32]

Hello,

I have some questions about school's admit verification process. It's my understanding that most of the b-schools run a background check on admitted students. Here are my questions:

1) What should one write on an application if their business has a built-in hiatus every year? I work at this type of job, but don't get paid during this hiatus period (much like a teacher). I don't want to write that I'm unemployed, but I also don't want this to get red flagged during the verification process. I noted on my application that I'm "on a regularly scheduled break"... is that enough?

2) How do b-schools know who to contact for verification purposes? For example, in my business, the HR department is far-removed from the work I do. It would make much more sense to talk to my immediate supervisor. How would the school/verification company know who to contact to get the right information?

3) What happens if a company's policy is not to release the reason why someone left? At some of the places I've worked, they'll only verify the dates of unemployment, but not the reason the person left (i.e. termination vs. personal choice), salary history, etc.

4) What happens if there is a discrepancy between what is written on someone's application and what shows up on the background check? Does the applicant get a chance to defend his/her case? Or is the person automatically denied admission?

It doesn't seem like schools are very open about the process, and this opaqueness makes me incredibly nervous. I feel I was accurate as I could be, given that I come from an unconventional business. I change jobs often, and I'm worried that something will red flag.

[Graham]

Dear Carterman32,

Thanks for your post about background checks. For starters, I suggest that you read the following post about this very topic on our blog:

https://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/01/admi ... -checks-3/

Beyond that, here are my thoughts on each of your questions:

1) I would approach this exactly as a teacher might. In other words, you would list the compnay as your full time employer. Perhaps in the description of your roles and responsibilities, you might indicate the nature of the schedule. Or, if you are short on space, you could just provide a two-sentence explanation in the optional essay. As long as you stay with the employer year after year, I don't see any issues with the fact that they close shop for a period of time each year. Of course, if things are more complicated than you describe - e.g. you aren't guaranteed a role after each annual break - a different approach might be in order. This is something we'd need to discuss.

2) Most schools approach the HR department. This part of the process is all about verifying your dates of employment, title(s) and wages. They are not asking the company what it's like to work with you, what your day to day responsibilities are, etc - hence HR is usually sufficient. Keep in mind that they will also be checking in with your recommenders - and that presumably one of your recommenders might be from your current employer...

3) Most background checking services are very good at what they do. Having said that if HR has a policy of not releasing certain information, the background checking company will take one of two paths. In some cases they will just accept HR's policy and skip the verification of 'reasons for leaving.' In others they may ask that you intervene and waive your rights to this privacy and authorize the firm to report the terms of your departure, etc. Obviously, all of this depends on which job you are talking about (a recent post vs. a summer job from college, etc). Keep in mind that as long as you tell the truth in your applications none of this should really matter.

4) If a discrepancy is uncovered, the schools will approach the admitted student and give them the opportunity to explain the situation. Assuming there was an honest oversight or misunderstanding, it will be a non-issue. Of course, if after the explanation the school still believes that information was withheld in order to boost one's candidacy, they clearly have a right to deny you admission.

As to your comment about how the schools are opaque when it comes to this part of the process, I think that really depends on where you are in the admissions process. Keep in mind that schools do NOT background check every applicant - they only do this for those candidates who are admitted and have opted to attend. As such, I agree that it is very opaque for candiates who are still going through the admissions process and have not yet been admitted. Having said that, once you are admitted and have sent your deposit to indicate plans for matriculation, the schools tend to be fairly open as they initiate the background check.

Best of luck,

Graham

[jdhallps]

Hello Graham,

Thanks for the post. I have a few questions in regard to the resume/background check process.

First, I have been working for the past 11 years and wanted to know how far back they want my resume history. I have been at my current employer for almost three years and my previous employer for 5 years. Should I include more information?

Now, the company that I had five years invested with is a little complicated. I only worked for the organization full-time for three years and then worked part-time for 2 years as temporary relief. However, I was also working at another employer at the same time. How should I explain this during my application?

[Pleaman]

Interesting questions)