[kjo421]

Hi I am about to start a my internship this winter at a big 4 firm and am going to start the background check process soon. I didn’t lie on my resume but I’m concerned that HR will think I did because this is my first “real” job and every job I have worked in the past has been unpaid or I have been paid in cash. I have people that HR can call, such as the owner of the tutoring service that I tutor for in case they need verification. I was wondering if this is likely to cause a problem or be a red flag? Or do they understand that college students have a bunch of odd jobs? Also should I be putting any high school jobs on the background form if they are from that long ago? I don’t think the business is open anymore.

Thanks

[accountingmisfit]

I interned with a Big 4 firm in summer 2015 and I don't think they actually called any of my former employers. I will caveat this by saying that I have no HR experience with Big 4, but my perception would be if you made it to this stage you're probably fine. Big 4 firms have enough problems retaining talent, they aren't going to turn down an intern because in high school you worked some odd job for cash that can't be verified. My recommendation: if it's not something you can verify, don't list it on the form.

[jereumie]

They are not gonna call/care. Big 4 doesn't hire you as an intern because you tutored students lol. If you were still in school, not having work experience on your resume is okay. Big 4 or any firm wouldn't expect you to have a page of work experience. Since you are starting at big 4, I suggest you take that tutor experience out. It is not accounting/auditing experience anyways. Now you ahve big 4 intern experience to be input.

[Author]

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