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Please help: Reference check, company only allows HR reference check

Hi forum, recently I got an offer from an MBB firm in Asia, and they required me to provide a referee to contact in addition to a HR.


However, my firm which is based in Europe, has strict policies and requires reference checks to be conducted only through HR. I assume this is due to local standard and also strict personal data protection in EU, which is less of an issue in Asia.

What would be a recommended solution? Should I communicate that I am not able to provide a non-HR referee due to company issue, or should I ask my colleague to be my referee, whereas he violates the company policy?

I am worried that this situation may cause trouble for my onboarding and would greatly appreciate any suggestion.

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Top answer
Hagen
Coach
edited on Sep 26, 2024
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offer!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

  • First of all, I would advise you to clearly communicate with the HR department at your future employer about your current company's policies. This transparency will help manage their expectations.
  • Moreover, should your future employer insist on a personal referee outside of HR guidelines, you might need to respectfully explain that this is not possible without violating company policies.
  • Lastly, in the end, I am certain that there will be a solution to this actually minor problem.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Florian
Coach
on Sep 26, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Congrats on the offer!

I would play this very transparently and communicate the issue with both sides to see where there is wiggle room. For sure, there is a way to make it happen so that both sides are okay with it. 

The first point of contact should be HR. Maybe they can facilitate the reference discussion with a non-HR person or get a written statement. I would not go violate the company policy.

All the best,

Florian

on Sep 26, 2024
2 free coachings for women per month (DM me)|+600 Interviews | Free 30-min intro call | Ex-Principal |Drill-Coaching

Hi,

I would recommend calling your HR department at your current firm and explaining the situation. Ask if they can provide a solution. Often, HR can work out an alternative without violating internal guidelines or making an exception. For sure, this is not the first time. If HR can’t provide a solution, I would recommend communicating your situation transparently to MBB.

Best of luck,

Kairavee

Pedro
Coach
on Sep 29, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

You have to communicate transparently with both parties, and work with them to solve this. Start with your own company HR.

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