So for those of you that don´t know, I´m starting an MBA program at Wharton in August. As a part of the enrollment process, Wharton requires that you pay for a background check into your previous employment, references, etc. Initially, I was annoyed when I had to pay for this myself, but then I was even more annoyed when the guy from the company informed me that he couldn´t get in touch with HR at HSBC and would I mind just sending him some old pay slips as proof of employment. Uh yeah, why don´t I just do your job for you?

Then I get another email today telling me that they haven´t been able to get in touch with Somnio Hostels, SL. (I haven´t seen any emails or faxes nor have I received any phone calls.) But, they´re asking if I can send them my contract, payslips, or some other documentation as proof of employment.

This strikes me as a little bit of a silly exercise. I tell Wharton where I worked. Then they make me pay a company to ask for proof from me of where I claim to have worked. How is that any type of unbiased, third party verification?