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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that I might be in a lot of trouble?

28 replies

SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 15:36

So I am a young mum and I have just got an offer for my first proper, full time job. Yay! Very pleased about it :)

Everything has been really brilliant so far but I am concerned about one aspect of the process to come. The dreaded background check.

I had done an informal internship in a foreign country around 5 years ago. This was a very valuable learning experience for me but I think it might land me in some trouble because it is virtually impossible to verify.

Since it was unpaid and temporary I was told that there would be no records kept of me. This is what the norm was for the organisation in that country when I was working there. I have no idea what they do presently since it has been five years. I was just given an official certificate of completion and sent on my way.

The 2 people I worked for have now moved on from the company but I do have their contact details. I have no idea if this will suffice but the only thing I can provide are the contact details of the two people I worked under and the original certificate.

If they go via the normal route and contact the HR department of the company, they will not find me on the records.

I have spoken about this work experience in detail in all my interviews as well.
I am worried that they will call the company's HR and HR will just say sorry we don't know this person and my employer will assume I was lying.

Just how much trouble could this land me into? I am looking at it as a potential disaster because they might think I am lying (which I am definitely not!) Maybe someone with more experience can shed some light on this sort of situation.

OP posts:
Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 15:41

At this point I would say that any anecdotes and experiences about a similar situation will be helpful to guide me on what I can expect.

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DropYourSword · 24/09/2013 15:46

I can't see why you would be in any trouble? You've explained it reasonably on here and it doesn't sound any alarm bells. If they have offered you the job pending references from this company I would contact them and explain the situation. The only issue will be if you lied on your CV implying it was anything other than an unpaid temp position.

MaKettle · 24/09/2013 15:48

Have you told the company offering you the job all of this? If not, your best bet is to do so, provide your certificate, and offer the contact details of the people you worked with (but explaining that they no longer work there). Much better to be up front than wait for the HR department to confront you.

redskyatnight · 24/09/2013 15:49

If you're not lying it's not a problem. Firstly, it's likely that your new company won't even bother to contact them. They are unlikely to have employed you based on a temporary position 5 years ago. Secondly, if they do contact them and HR say you are not on their records, you can say (as you have here) that unpaid, temporary people are not recorded and that you can show them your certificate of completion and/or give them the contact details with someone you worked with.

tywysogesgymraeg · 24/09/2013 15:52

TBH, I doubt they'll even take up references, if they've offered you the job already. References are usually only used when an employer is not sure about something.

Anyway, most firms thesedays won't give references - too afraid of being sued.

MimiSunshine · 24/09/2013 15:53

Try not to worry, firstly as you say you're a young mum and the work experience was 5 years ago I'm guessing you were a teen and they may well not check.
But presumably the certificate you have looks a bit more official than something anyone could have knocked up on Word so you could always show them it and I would premptively contact the people you worked for at that time to ask if they would mind being a personal reference and then provide their details.

And if you haven't already, set up a LinkedIn profile (Facebook for work if you're not familiar) showing your past employment details and connect to the people you've worked with.
Doesn't have to have war and peace in the descriptions but every employer I've had, the hiring manager has searched people out on there so it'll back you up as it's publically accessible so people would be stupid to lie

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 15:54

No I have listed it exactly as what it was.

The offer is not contingent upon references but I could give one if they wanted it.One of my ex-managers will happily provide a reference for me. However, she does not work for the same company anymore. I am sure that they could verify that she did in fact work for the company five years ago since she was in a senior position.

I have informed the HR at this new company that it was an unpaid, part time position and that my managers have left the company and they said they had made a note of it.

What worries me is this. I have been told by a colleague that my new employers send every potential candidate a form to fill out in which they ask for details of the HR department of every previous employer. I don't have those details. And like I said, if they contacted the HR through their own means then they would likely not find any information about myself.

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Thesebootsweremadeforwalking · 24/09/2013 15:57

I would just tell them the same as you've posted here, TBH. You've not been dishonest so unless a reference is required I don't think there is a problem?

DropYourSword · 24/09/2013 15:57

Nothing to worry about then! congratulations on your new job

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 15:58

I was quite young when I did this job but I mentioned it anyway because there isn't much else that I have done! Something was better than an empty CV Blush

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Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 15:58

Thank you Smile

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Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 16:00

I do not have a Linkedin profile but I can create one now. Thanks for the tip!

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PrincessKitKat · 24/09/2013 16:00

I think your vastly overestimating the efficiency of your new employer!!
In 3 jobs I have only had one ask for my degree certificates let alone check my past job history!
Likelihood is the question will never be asked, and if it is, give them the contact details that you have.
You will prove yourself by your performance during the induction period, not the strength of your CV Smile Good Luck!

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 16:04

I know they don't always contact everyone on the CV and I was quite relaxed about it until now. But I got an email from them recently requesting details of previous education and employment for a background check. I assumed that since they asked for the details, they will be checking up on them. Or maybe this is just a formality. Or a threatening tactic perhaps Confused

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TootsMon · 24/09/2013 16:05

Most of the companies I've ever worked for no longer exist. (I don't think it was me Hmm). So over the years I've had a hard time explaining my experience too. But, I've explained it, people have accepted the explanations and I've never not got the job because of it.

LinkedIn's a great idea. It's really useful when colleagues move on, or companies shuffle off...

NatashaBee · 24/09/2013 16:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 16:11

I heard from someone that they have started keeping more accurate records of people now but I know they didn't keep any record of me because I asked my ex-manager. I don't know why they were such a mess when I worked for them! And this is a good company too, not an obscure one.

I feel a bit more at ease after reading all the replies on here. It can be so unnerving when it's the first job and one has no prior experience of the whole process.

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MimiSunshine · 24/09/2013 16:17

It's understandable why you're nervous about it as you clearly really want the job. But don't worry, if they check you have someone who can verify what you've said and it doesn't matter that they no longer work there.
You'll be fine. Congratulations

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 16:57

Thank you everyone!

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Beastofburden · 24/09/2013 17:06

I shouldnt worry. if they do ask for the HR details of that job you reply "not applicable" and append a note with a photocopy of the certificate.

if you have been honest then you have nothing at all to worry about. Enjoy your new job!

WilsonFrickett · 24/09/2013 17:47

They also won't - ime - go 'this doesn't check out' then never contact you again. They will get in touch if there's a problem, and ask you about it.

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 18:06

OK, that is reassuring. As long as they come back for a clarification.

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StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 24/09/2013 19:29

you won't be the first or last that has had similar issues. I worked for a well known London based organisation but it was a limited contract, the people I worked closely with moved on same as I did after the contract finished so no one to give a direct reference, the next two organisations I worked for for significant years both folded after I left (no connection) so again no one to give references... very awkward on a CV if they asked for contacts! no one ever has quibbled and only once was I asked to bring certificates to the interveiw.

Isabeller · 24/09/2013 19:36

DP worked for a large company that closed down. The managers wrote letters of reference for everyone knowing there would be no HR dept for any future employer to contact. You could ask for a brief letter from one of your contacts saying Seeking worked as an intern from [dates] doing [stuff].

You could send it to your new employers saying you have realised no one in HR at old company would know you now so you're enclosing a copy of your previous manager's letter.

Original poster
SeekingEmployment · 24/09/2013 23:15

That is exactly what the certificate that I have says on it. My name, dates of employment and position. So that sounds like a very good thing then :)

I should note here that this is a rather large multinational organisation and they appear to take their screening process very seriously. This process seems to be a lot more formal than the process undertaken by most smaller firms. I am not sure if that makes a difference at all, but I just wanted to mention it.

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