Numerous surveys have found that the majority of job applicants admit to lying on their resumes and during a job interview. At the very least, they have exaggerated or embellished their accomplishments. The misrepresentation takes place at all levels, even the most senior.
What’s even more troubling for employers is that around 80 percent of applicants say that their lies went undetected. So, how can hiring managers be sure that a candidate is telling the truth on their resume or during the job interview?
Here are six ways to spot a lie, exaggeration or resume fraud during a job interview:
1. Verify Education
Lies about how educational level attained are among the most common. Some applicants will go so far as to say they received a degree from a university they never attended. In other cases, they may add a degree or change the actual major they received to fit the position applied for. Still others will list flimsy degrees received from diploma mills. An Education Verification through a background screening company or in some cases a call to the institution can verify that the student actually attended as well as the veracity of the degree.
2. Verify Employment Dates and Title/Job Role
Lies related to employment are the most common type of deception on resumes and when answering job interview questions. The only way to confirm this information is by calling their former employers. While there may be limits regarding how much the employer will be willing to reveal, you can at least verify that they worked there, their job duties and the dates of employment.
3. Follow Up with References
While many employers ask for references, many do not use these resources to find out more about the candidate. Don’t pass up this opportunity to gain more insights about an applicant, especially if you are unsure about their character or if something during the job interview or about their story does not add up.
4. Enlist a Professional Employment Screening Service
Lies related to criminal history or reliability with finances can be among the most problematic when considering a candidate. All jobs require a strong measure of trustworthiness, but for some positions it is imperative that the person hired does not have a criminal past. Using the services of a professional background screening service allows for checks into criminal history search and with some job positions, pulling a credit report to determine financial history.
5. Look At Their Social Media Accounts
A check of a candidate’s social media accounts can yield additional insights into their employment track record as well as more about their personality. Employers can get a better sense of if they have portrayed themselves truthfully on their resume and in the job interview. Just be sure to treat each candidate consistently if you conduct social media screening.
6. Use Intuition
As employers and hiring managers gain experience, they will develop an increasingly refined intuition. Be on the lookout for vague or general answers and body language that indicates deception.
A lack of honesty on an application or during a job interview can threaten an employer’s ability to find the best candidates. Use these six tips to determine truthfulness and verify qualifications.
Source: http://time.com/money/3995981/how-many-people-lie-resumes/
Disclaimer Statement: All information presented is never intended as legal advice and is for information purposes only.
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