Fired but pretending to be employed - Background check
Guys,
I started working at an M&A boutique 4 months ago and just got fired a couple of weeks ago in the middle of my probation period. They told me “yeah we are looking for people who are likely to stay here 20 years, we are a small team, the fit is not entirely right but don’t worry we will give you a good reference” (the hidden reason might be that they have not done any deal recently and want to cut the costs). I did very good internships at far better firms previously, including this summer but struggled to find a full time, started working at this company and got fired after 4 months. I was in shock, told them “I have done nothing wrong, you are putting me in a very bad position, can I still pretend to be at your firm while applying for other positions?” They answered “yes or you can pretend it was just an internship”
I started applying immediately everywhere, contacted headhunters etc. with putting my position at this company as “Present/Current”. I met headhunters and told them I was still working there.
Now my CV is under review and I have interviews coming with solid / respectable firms. I really do not know what to do, shall I say at one point that I was fired (because they are cutting costs, because I was get caught while applying)? That I quit? That it is a temporary contract?
Or shall I keep lying and hope: my former employer will keep their promise and help me to lie about my dates (not sure I can totally trust them…). Call my former employer, ask them to lie, pretend I am doing a background and check to see what they say? Twist the background check (say it was “current” when I apply but left a couple of days after)?
Or hope that because the background check company is often a third party I can replace the “current” by the end date I want when doing the background check? Pay a company for fake reference? I guess killing myself is not an option so please help me! What is the best option???
Call up your former employers, let them know a background check is en route, bring up the fact that they said they'd let you claim to still be working there, and confirm that they'll cover your ass. Then just roll with it. As soon as you start claiming that there is some type of confusion or caveat with what you put on your resume you look like a liar.
Even if you try to say that you just left a few weeks ago, that still requires your past company to lie for you if the background check firm ever goes into your employment dates.
Listen to me. Do not call it an internship, call it a full-time gig. Your firm will cover your ass, just check up with them to make sure they do. Tell your interviewers that you had an agreement with your boutique that they didnt need another analyst but were willing to take you in until you found another role. Also you don't have to worry about FINRA, most boutiques take it at around the 6 month mark, you're only at the 4th.
I know its rough, but hang in there. Killing yourself is never an option. I know it feels like the end of the world, but its not! You are so so so young and the world is a big place with so many diverse and interesting opportunities. You will find your place. It may take time and you will have to be persistent. I read an article recently that those who face adversity early in the lives are likely to go much further in life than others that did not. A lot of very famous people were let go from jobs. Just google it and you will feel better. It happens to almost everyone at least once in their life. It sucks. but you will come out of this phase. I believe in you.
You're in a shitty situation, but if the company said they would cover your ass I would roll with that. Landing interviews from unemployment can be hard and I think the improved chances for a new gig outweighs the risk of getting caught.
Also; +1 SB for not killing yourself. Good call, and hang in there. It's just a job!