Drug Testing at MBB Firms

NavalMonkey:

hahaha funny you mention this. I have a friend who works at one of the firms you listed who was just informed that he had to take a drug test to be staffed on a case (at the clients request). He smokes occasionally, and basically the firm just delayed the test for him until he would be able to pass. It didn't seem like the firm cared.

What firm, if u don't mind my asking?

well, usually every legitimate firm does drug testing. so I'm sure that MBB does it.

No firm would do a drug test pre-offer, it just doesn't make sense. They give you an offer, you accept and then you usually have two days from the receipt of the forms to get the screening completed. The offer is always an at-will contract meaning that they can rescind the offer or terminate you for any legitimate reason (market conditions, failing the drug the test, lying about grades/background).

Working in the Finance industry- anywhere- you are subject to drug tests. You can try to illegitimatey pass the test- there are threads on this here- but, just quit now while you're ahead...you'll eventually run into a problem.

you're presumably out of college and have a full-time job. grow up - you'll feel and work better

Thank you to the second two posters for imparting your wisdom. Does anyone have a useful answer to this question?

Dude seriously, if they have one, use a body cleanser or just quit now... why does it matter? Its like passing a drug test for any college violation...

Plus they did have a useful answer, there will be a drug test... obviously.

No drug test at my MBB firm for internships (while most finance firms drug test interns).

That said, be very careful using drugs (or rather, smoking marijuana, since it's pretty much the only detectable drug) if you're doing consulting. I heard stories of a few interns in another city who needed to be drug tested to get an ID card for the case they were on. They failed the test and (I believe) ended up getting fired.

Thanks Lemur, I appreciate it. Anyone who has been hired as a Business Analyst in the last year or so have any input?

I work at one of M/B/B, and my experience has been that the firm (or at least my office) is pretty forgiving on this measure. It is firm policy to NOT drug test, but some clients we work for do test. We had one client that insisted on drug tests to get ID badges, and the partner on the case decided to do the work out of our office to "honor" the fact that we don't do drug testing.

Of course, we had another instance where the client wanted drug testing, and everyone on the case was tested. There was an intern who knew he wouldn't pass, so he took someone aside and was upfront about it. He ended up on a different case and still got the offer, so there you go.

All that said, you're still taking a big risk when you light up. While my firm has been accommodating, it certainly doesn't look good for those who take advantage.

Nothing about a drug test so far, but I do have to pass a background check. Does anyone know what would be a red flag for M/B/B firms in the background checks? Would a misdemeanor drinking ticket/pot ticket in college tank the deal?