If you’re hiring for your business, then you’re probably already comfortable shelving the applicants that aren’t quite up to snuff.
But what about the candidates that seem, well, perfect? Their cover letters are thoughtful and hit all the important notes, their resumes are full — but not cluttered — with relevant experience and education. Is this candidate really your dream come true?
Before you send any compensation packages, do some investigating. A new survey of over 1,000 job seekers in America revealed that one-third have lied at some point during the hiring process. Of the admitted fibbers, 72% clarified that they lied on their resume, and of those who lied on applications, 73% got the job.
While the research shows that men, people aged 25-44, and applicants without a high school degree or GED are more likely to lie than their older, female, degree-wielding counterparts, the falsities are not limited to experience level, industry, or job type.
Representative-elect George Santos made headlines recently after it was revealed that his successful career was built on the back of outright lies about his education and work experience. If fibs and falsehoods can help a candidate reach Congress — on both sides of the aisle — how is the common worker benefitting from fraudulent resumes?
Keep reading to learn from the experienced hiring managers at Sabio Systems on how to spot lies and find the game-changer candidates with real experience.
5 Tips for Spotting Resume Lies
For small businesses looking to scale up, hiring during a recession offers major benefits.
America’s current economic downturn is leading to widespread layoffs and, subsequently, an influx of top talent that wouldn’t otherwise be available.
Combine a stand-out job description and a pre-employment integrity assessment with these 5 tips to vet your applicants, sift through the fiction, and connect with only the candidates that are who they claim to be.
- Don’t skim!
Reading an endless stream of resumes, applications, and cover letters might not be your ideal way to spend a day, but skimming should never be an option. Instead, keep a vigilant eye for the little details like date ranges that could vary between documents or simply not add up — this is often where inconsistencies are most visible.
With more and more people working 2-3 jobs at a time, overlapping dates don’t always equate to bold-faced lies, but they could signal some light fibbing if there are other misaligned elements.
- Ask Screening questions.
If a candidate seems like they could be great, barring any untruthfulness, try having a personal conversation with them to clear up any miscommunications from their resume. The applicant should be able to directly address any concerns you have with inconsistencies, vagueness, or confusing information on their resume, especially if their resume boasts excellent written and verbal communication skills.
While this typically happens during an interview, you might uncover information that renders the interview irrelevant and save yourself time in the long run.
- Use all available resources.
One of the significant benefits of hiring in a digital age is that a wealth of once-private information is now public. Utilize all the virtual resources you have available, from a simple Google search to a social media deep dive.
LinkedIn profiles can be used to verify industry connections and work experience, while something like a criminal background check can divulge potential legal improprieties.
- Call references.
Calling a reference and asking detailed questions might not be in vogue, especially for busy executives, but simply shooting off an email or reviewing a letter of recommendation just doesn’t cut it these days.
Always verify the details candidates report about past jobs: some of the most common lies added to pad a resume are related to years of experience, skill levels, and responsibilities of previous roles.
- Work with a verified recruiter.
Research, pre-interview screening, calling multiple references, verifying education levels — all of this takes a lot of focused effort. Spend less time vetting your applicants and more time actually running your business by working with a professional recruiter.
Hiring managers with experience in a range of job markets and economic states can foster connections between you and the talent that will support the growth of your business. Partner with a team of recruiters with outstanding reviews, like those at Sabio Systems, to find the perfect hire while saving time and stress.