In A Tough Job Market, Resume Lies Reach New Levels Of Absurdity, Reports AccuScreen.
As job seekers have become more desperate, the number of people lying on resumes and job applications has spiked to 46% according to
AccuScreen’s 16th annual ‘Top 7 Resume Lies’ report.
TAMPA, FL — Resume lies, falsification rings, diploma mills, and a host of other outrageous tactics have reached record levels as the job market tightens. For 16 years, AccuScreen, a leader in employment background screening, has recorded trends in resume falsification. According to internal data, 46% of people present false information on their resume or job application — a 3 point increase over 2008.
“The unemployment rate has risen to historically new levels. As people have become more desperate, the lies have become more creative, harder to trace, and ultimately, more detrimental for employers,” said Kevin Connell, CEO of AccuScreen.
AccuScreen publishes an annual ‘Top 7 Resume Lies’ report and offers it free of charge to employers. From buying credentials from diploma mills to exaggerating past experience and pay, the report reveals the red flags hiring teams need to be aware of when screening applicants.
The recently released ‘Top 7 Resume Lies’ report is now available free to download.
According to Kevin Connell, the most common resume lies involve:
- Falsified employment dates to cover up gaps or jobs from which the applicant was fired
- Exaggerated job titles and responsibilities
- Fake experience at ‘ghost’ companies
- Covering up criminal records
- Inflated salaries
- Falsification of education credentials
- Falsification of professional credentials
Connell says that these lies can severely chip away at the integrity of an organization. At best, employers can overpay for unqualified people that erode the position of a company in its industry. At worst, frauds can con their way into companies and gain access to trade secrets and financial information.
“Employers must be vigilant about screening who they allow into their company. Job seekers too must be aware that employers are scrutinizing their applications and resumes more than ever — embellishing doesn’t impress, it’s a sure way to quickly lose your candidacy for the position,” said Connell.
To download the ‘Top 7 Resume Lies’ report, visit AccuScreen at http://www.accuscreen.com/.
Kevin Connell is available for comment on this subject. For interview inquiries, contact Sue
Marriott at 1.800.689.2228 ext # 1100 or suemarriott@accuscreen.com.
About Kevin Connell:
Kevin G. Connell (http://www.accuscreen.com/about/our-president-ceo/) is a renowned professional background screening expert, he is recognized for his expertise on employment background screening, criminal record checks, workplace fraud, embezzlement, employee theft,resume fraud and negligent hiring in the workplace. Connell has spoken at numerous business, security & human resources conferences, including twice providing testimony before the Florida Supreme Court. He is widely quoted, has had several articles published in magazines, has been featured on television, including ABC-TV “Money Matters,” the Fox News Channel and has been interviewed on more than 126 live talk radio programs. Connell is a former founding Director of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS); he served on the board from 2003-2005.
About AccuScreen:
Since 1994, AccuScreen.com has been an industry pioneer, leader and expert in employment background screening, specializing in criminal background check services, education verification, license verification, and other essential pre-employment screening services. Its reports are delivered to companies across the world in 2-72 hours.
Media Contact
Sue Marriott
410 S. Ware Blvd. Suite 607
Tampa, FL 33619
1.800.689.2228 ext # 1100
