Half of Job Applicants Lie About THIS

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Have you ever stretched the truth on a resume?
	Sure, everyone does.
	I did it once.
	No way! It's too easy to get caught.
	No, I'm too honest for that.
	I'm not sure.


	Career Management Community

Half of Job Applicants Lie About THIS
Employers have wised up. If you exaggerate or downright lie on your resume or during an interview about previous employment accomplishments, don't assume you'll be believed. Why? Chances are very good that employer is conducting a background check on you.

An increasing number of "red flags" are showing up in job candidate background checks--the kind that could sabotage your chances of getting hired if you're caught in a lie. Fully 49.4 percent of applicants had discrepancies in past employment verification, while almost a quarter had education verification discrepancies and nearly 10 percent had undisclosed criminal records, according to Kroll, a global risk consulting firm based in New York City.

Consider this: In 2005, 36.5 percent of job applicants stretched the truth about previous employment, compared to the 49.4 percent who fibbed about that in 2006.

Are we lying more than ever on our resumes--or just getting caught in higher numbers? Barry Nadell, a senior vice president at Kroll, attributes the upward trend to four key factors:

Today's background checks dig deeper to include more complete data. That means more people may not be lying, but rather more people who are lying are getting caught.

Companies now tend to screen all employees, not just managers. Hiring risks exists at all levels of the organization. Many companies even screen temporary employees, as well as vendors and consultants since they could pose a threat to their business.

Even smaller companies recognize the importance of background screening, often making it a standard part of the hiring process.

Screening methodology has grown more sophisticated with information that previously was not available now easily obtained. For example, employment and education histories can now be verified not only in the United States, but also in numerous other countries.

--From the Editors at Netscape