uncovering Resume Fraud

The transcripts from the doctoral program, the candidate assured us, were in the attic. If only he could find them!

He was a vice-president at a large, publicly-held biotech company. On paper he had an outstanding track record, but there was the small problem of the Ph.D. on his resume. In truth, we learned, he had only a bachelor’s degree and had been lying about his credentials for more than twenty years.

This is a true story, and sadly we could tell many more like it. Resume fraud is common. No one knows for sure what percentage of resumes contain falsehoods, but estimates range from 10% to 30% and higher. In our experience, claiming unearned degrees is most common, but employment dates, salary history, responsibilities and accomplishments are also frequently misrepresented. And as our story illustrates, it can never be taken for granted that senior executives have been properly vetted by past employers.

Candidates who lie on their resumes present two potential problems. If not detected until the end of a search, they consume valuable management time and mindshare during the interview process. If never detected, the consequences are even worse. Once hired, their casual attitude to the truth can present serious business risks and erode the ethical culture of an organization.

How can you uncover resume falsehoods? Here are some suggestions:

Verify Degrees Before Interviews
Lies about education are most common and are also easy to detect, so verify degrees before candidates meet with hiring managers. This is an effective way to weed out most liars before they interview. We have made it our standard practice to verify education before we present candidates to clients.

Later, Conduct a Thorough Background Check
Pre-employment background checks are usually conducted by the prospective employer after a lead candidate has been identified. Background checks typically cover local and national criminal records, motor vehicle records, credit reporting, social security number verification, and other items. In recent years there has been rapid growth in the number of background screening firms, and many do a poor job, so make sure your company uses a reputable provider. If a background check identifies a problem, verify the discrepancy. Errors are common.

Trust, but Verify

The good news is that most candidates are honest and have solid ethics. But the risks posed by resume liars are significant, so don’t be lulled into complacency. Weed them out before they do damage.

When asked if the Soviets could be trusted, Ronald Reagan said he was guided by an old Russian proverb: “Trust, but verify”. That maxim is just as applicable to executive hiring as it is to international relations.