5 of the Most Common Lies Job Applicants Tell Employers

In a competitive job market, some job applicants resort to lying to increase their chances of being hired. Close to 60 percent of all job applicants admit to having fabricated or at least exaggerating some aspect of their history when applying for a job, according to CareerBuilder.com.

Employment screening can offer a measure of protection and ensure employers know who they are hiring. The following are five of the most common lies told by job applicants on their resumes and/or during interviews:

1. Exaggerating Employment Dates

Most job applicants are aware that their employment record weighs heavily into how they are considered for a new position. This motivates some of them to conceal gaps in employment by stretching or fudging the start or end dates of a particular job. Employment tenure exaggeration is the most common lie on fraudulent resumes. Employers can identify this lie by always calling employers to verify dates.

2. Concealing a Job Applicant’s Criminal Record

Job applicants know that a criminal past will rule them out for most jobs. This can motivate them to lie about it and do all they can to cover it up. Employers should conduct a criminal background check to find out if an applicant has a criminal past. A professional screening company can check for felonies, violent crime and if they are a sexual predator. Employers can also run a credit check, for certain job positions, to help ensure the job applicant is honest and in good standing in terms of their finances.

3. Falsifying Their Educational Credentials

Some job applicants also lie about their educational history. From embellishing their records to adding a degree (or two), making their schooling history look better than it is becomes a temptation. Calling the educational institution or outsourcing the education verification to a professional screening firm is key to weeding out any fraud.

4. Inflating Job Role and/or Salary Amount

Some job applicants also lie about past positions held and how much they were paid. They feel this increases their chances of being hired and also being paid more as a starting salary. Again, calling past employers or outsourcing the employment verification to a professional screening firm will quickly help to determine the truth on job history and income.

5. Hiding a Substance Abuse Habit

While many people enjoy an adult beverage from time to time, some have a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Few are likely to admit this in a job interview, even if it has resulted in legal issues or trouble with the law. Professional background screening along with drug testing can help to determine if a job applicant has problems in these areas. Awareness of this issue can help employers to avoid numerous related problems down the road.

In an ideal world, job applicants would be honest and forthcoming about who they are and where they’ve been. While there seems to be an evolution toward more transparency, employers can add an extra layer of protection and peace of mind to their screening process.

Professional background checks can verify the information of job applicants and determine if anything important has been omitted. This can make all the difference in hiring the best job applicants for the company. It can also help with ensuring compliance and avoiding negligent hiring lawsuits down the road.

Disclaimer Statement: All information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide professional or legal advice regarding actions to take in any situation.

Source: www.businessinsider.com/here-are-the-most-common-lies-people-tell-on-their-resumes-2013-3