Background check requested during “finalist” stage — what does this usually mean?
I’m currently in an internship recruiting process and wanted to get some clarity. I’ve already had two interviews (one with an MD and one with a VP). I just received an email saying:
“Congratulations on being considered a finalist”
“The background check process requires that we conduct a (Part 1) background check during the final round interview process.”
I’ve seen online that usually you only get asked for a background check once the offer is essentially locked in, and a friend who applied to the same firm last year said he got the same email and then received an offer like 2-3 weeks after.
But at the same time, the firm’s website says: “If you progress beyond the interview process, background checks are conducted as part of our onboarding process.” That makes me think it could still go either way.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m a bit confused — does this generally signal that I’m basically through, or is it still very possible to get rejected after this step?
Would appreciate any insight from people who’ve been through something similar.
(I don't have anything on my record and i'm completely clean so background check shouldn't be an issue)
This is a good thing. They’re likely to formally offer you. My title is outdated, but fwiw I’m in a lateral process now where the same thing is going on (verbal offer, but no written offer until post background check)
it generally does signal that you are through. I haven't heard of any firm running parallel background checks for multiple candidates, although I technically guess they could. The reason they don't want to sound more committal over email is because they want to make sure you come back clean before verbally confirm confirming you
Makes sense. I just dont want to count the eggs before they hatch.
Makes sense. I just dont want to count the eggs before they hatch.
Hi OP, did you ever hear back from the position? I'm in the exact same boat right now, down to the wording and everything in the email haha
Yeah, they told me to f*ck off lmao. Could be different in your case. Best of luck man.
Sorry about that man. Appreciate you replying
Sorry to hear that man, praying on your rise 🙏. Do you think it was truly something wrong with your background or some sort of internal candidate prioritization scheme that led to this?
I also got the same email. What group did you interview for?
Hey, just pmed you
Corp Fin SA 2026. Wbu?
is this Walleye lol? If it is it's part of their normal process I think
No, MUFG
would still imagine it's a good sign.
Kinda weird though cuz pretty sure most sell side do it after they give out offers. Maybe they had a case recently where they had to resciend so HR wants to save the trouble lol
Hey man, sorry to hear that. This is unheard of. Background check costs money so it is typically done as the last "check the box" process.
Yeah its cheeks man. Idk what happened bc I'm 100% sure my record is completely clean. I think I would know if I had to something to worry about.
I just think they had all of the candidates and then started discarding the ones they didn't like.
I'm complaining here but I hate the fact that they just send over an automated email after everything and not give any feedback whatsoever. They just hand it to you.
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