CV fraud takes many forms, from embellished day-to-day responsibilities, to false qualifications from universities the candidate never went to. It happens all the time. An increase in the number of cases of CV fraud is in no small part a result of the past several years of weakness in the job market – unemployed people are feeling the pressure more than ever before and will do whatever it takes to get a foot in the door.
Businesses invest a huge amount of money and time on the recruitment process. So, it is important that you hire genuine job-seekers that are fully qualified in order to ensure that you reap the maximum return on investment. Fraudulent CVs affect your bottom line and business reputation as the candidate will not be able to perform the task at hand.
Increasing competition in the job market results in fake CVs being a common problem for recruiters and hiring managers considering hiring new people. The information most commonly falsified by job candidates on their CVs are employment history, skills, education records and salary details. A candidate may seem perfect on paper, but without a proper check into their CVs this could come back and hurt your business in the long run. Here are a few ways to spot a fake CV and protect your business.
Telephone conversation
As a first step, you should set up a formal telephone interview with candidates that you are considering hiring. Listen carefully for any discrepancies and feel free to ask the applicant to clarify any ambiguities. If things do not “add up” now is the time to make an initial assessment in the career decisions the applicant has made. A 5-minute telephone interview can be a huge time saver.
Verify the employment history
As experience is a great way to be seen by recruiters, falsifying employment history is common. When selecting candidates, it is essential that you can verify their validity. Ask your candidate specific questions about the company they claim to have worked for including:
- The office address
- History
- Product and services it offers
You can then use this information to see if it matches the company’s website. Further, you can request a reference contact from the candidate’s previous company.
Cross-question the candidate
Don’t underestimate the power of cross-questioning. Often you will be able to identify gaps or discrepancies if you are making use of this powerful interviewing technique. Ask your candidates about real-life situations at the office, or around their position to assess the claims their CV is making. Also question your candidates on:
- Unexplained gaps in employment
- Irrational career moves with unusual titles
- A reluctance to explain the reason for leaving a job
- Unusual periods of self-employment
Take the answers your candidates give and then begin by calling references, including clients they had during self-employment periods. However, you need to exercise caution because if candidates are willing to lie on their CVs, they may also be providing fraudulent references that they have prepared ahead of time. Look for ways to verify the references like checking websites of previous employers and using the numbers provided on the official website for verification.
Background check
When attempting to verify a CV, a good place to start is by looking at your candidate’s social media platforms. You may be able to tell if they have been employed at the places they claimed, or the universities they attended. It can also indicate any suspicious behaviour or highlight areas of concern.
However, the best step to take is an official academic qualification check. By partnering with an experienced and certified company like MarisIT, you can be sure that you are hiring the best possible candidates that are backed by good qualifications and employment experience. We offer an online, automated, and reliable service that provides fast turnaround times to verify your candidates’ qualifications.
It is also important to perform a criminal background check when considering hiring people. This will leave you with peace of mind – you can feel more comfortable assigning an important role to the candidate. This serves as a foundation for a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.
Always remember that mistakes and misunderstandings do happen. If anything untoward comes up, give your candidate the opportunity to explain. There is no perfect system to spot CV fraud, but it is important that you use every tool possible from social media reviews to background checks to ensure that you are hiring someone that is the perfect fit for your company.
