Resume Lies on the Rise: 5 Tips for Vetting Candidates

There’s nothing more disheartening than spending weeks trying to find the perfect candidate, only to realize the one person actually cut out for the job fibbed on key parts of their resume. Talk about a major letdown—and waste of time!

Research shows almost half of all professionals know someone who has provided false information on their resume. What’s the number one thing jobseekers lie about? Their skills and competencies, according to a study by CareerBuilder (Source).

When jobseekers lie on their resume, it calls into question their honesty and integrity. It also calls into question your company’s vetting process. How are candidates screened and evaluated? What types of testing and assessment tools does your company utilize? Are hiring managers competent in catching resume lies?

To help you make smarter hiring decisions, consider these five tips for vetting prospective job candidates.

1. Verify education credentials 

Less than half of companies actually verify a job applicant’s education credentials (Source). Check to make sure degrees were awarded, honors were earned, and certifications are current.

2. Perform a background check 

Establish what type of screening is suitable for the position. Background checks can reveal all types of information, such as criminal and driving records, credit reports, and workers’ compensation claims. A background check usually takes two to five business days to complete.

3. Conduct thorough reference checks

Find out as much information as you can from past employers—previous title, dates of employment, responsibilities, reason for leaving, salary, and job performance. Even the reference information a candidate provides can be false, so look up former employers’ contact numbers online to make sure you’re calling the company, rather than a friend or even a fake job reference service.

4. Administer skill tests and behavioral assessments

Make sure candidates are the right fit for your business and have the skills they claim. Verify competency skills by asking in-depth, technical questions or administer tests that measure abilities specific to the position.

5. Search the Internet

LinkedIn and other social media sites allow members to post their resume, search for jobs, and network with other professionals. Check for discrepancies between what is listed on their resume and online. If you notice any red flags, ask the candidate for clarification.

Employers want to hire the best, most qualified person for the job. Make sure you choose the right candidate by implementing a comprehensive screening process for hiring new employees. Your due diligence will save your business time and money, mitigate risk for turnover, and allow you to be confident that the people joining your team are truthful.

For nearly 50 years now, ALTRES Staffing has provided painless employee placement services to hundreds of Hawaii companies. That means we not only recruit candidates for you, but we also ensure they are screened, vetted, and reference checked before they are even presented to you for consideration—saving you valuable time and money!