by Amit Puri
A standard worry when hiring a candidate is whether or not the applicant has mentioned the truth about various features of their background. It isn't unlikely for candidates to feel that they are more likely to getjob opportunities if they distort their age, cover-up gaps in their work experience and declare to have educational degrees and diplomas they don't truly have. This happens more than you think for jobs in Singapore and also other places in the world, when people try to search for jobs
Whereas there is comparatively little research on the accuracy of applicant data, there is some proof which may make clear the facts. A study by a verification service in Minneapolis (U.S.), found that nearly 33% of applicants' academic and job data had been inaccurate. An examination into 111 job application forms submitted by people applying for jobs as nurse aids, found that forms were often incorrect for earlier wage earned (seventy two percent) and duration of previous work experience (57%). 15% of firms stated by the candidates as being previous employers, had no record employing them.
In one other study (by Powerchex - a pre-employment screening firm) of four thousand job applications by graduates in the United Kingdom, it was found that graduates with less than a 2.1 GPA face an especially high temptation to hide the mediocrity of their academic grades because many attractive companies reject them before even the first-interview stage. Arts and humanities graduates are probably the most susceptible to over-stating achievements. Twenty two percent of those who apply for roles in financial services are guilty of CV 'discrepancies'. These range from excessively playing up job duties, to even more severe lies involving employment histories and college degrees. Mathematics graduates were the most sincere about their background, with only 6% responsible of resume inaccuracies.
Main point for for organisations: Do not take for granted that info supplied by job candidates is all the time right and accurate.
Implications for job seekers: More and more corporates are realising the necessity to confirm the information you provide them. Do not harm your probabilities of getting a job you may get by mis-representing yourself.
Whereas there is comparatively little research on the accuracy of applicant data, there is some proof which may make clear the facts. A study by a verification service in Minneapolis (U.S.), found that nearly 33% of applicants' academic and job data had been inaccurate. An examination into 111 job application forms submitted by people applying for jobs as nurse aids, found that forms were often incorrect for earlier wage earned (seventy two percent) and duration of previous work experience (57%). 15% of firms stated by the candidates as being previous employers, had no record employing them.
In one other study (by Powerchex - a pre-employment screening firm) of four thousand job applications by graduates in the United Kingdom, it was found that graduates with less than a 2.1 GPA face an especially high temptation to hide the mediocrity of their academic grades because many attractive companies reject them before even the first-interview stage. Arts and humanities graduates are probably the most susceptible to over-stating achievements. Twenty two percent of those who apply for roles in financial services are guilty of CV 'discrepancies'. These range from excessively playing up job duties, to even more severe lies involving employment histories and college degrees. Mathematics graduates were the most sincere about their background, with only 6% responsible of resume inaccuracies.
Main point for for organisations: Do not take for granted that info supplied by job candidates is all the time right and accurate.
Implications for job seekers: More and more corporates are realising the necessity to confirm the information you provide them. Do not harm your probabilities of getting a job you may get by mis-representing yourself.
About the Author:
Amit Puri has over 10 years of career advisory & management expertise. He heads Sandbox Advisors a job search consulting firm in Singapore.Visit their site (Career & Job Search Insights), for news & tips, on cover letter samples, job interview questions and answers, job openings, career choice & more.
