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By Sandy Flippo, SPHR As competition for jobs has become more intense, the issue of resume honesty and disclosure has become more prominent.  A recent article in USA Today estimates that nearly 35% of resumes contain untrue information about education, experience, or skills. (A, Bruzzese, USA Today, com, 3/1/2012) Some exaggeration may be common, but some resumes are filled with blatant lies.  Applicants have been caught listing military combat experience when they have never left the U.S., created degrees that they did not earn or changed their alma mater to a more prestigious university to attract employers.  Some applicants have paid hackers to get into a university system to add their name to a graduating class. What employers can do: Employers cannot afford to be naive.   Here are some points that can help you find the truth.

• Ask the candidate probing questions.
• Watch for terms and labels that could bring doubt to the credentials.
• Listen for formal references to a university rather than a more common name used by graduates.
• Look carefully at the way job responsibilities are worded.  Some strong  verbs can give  the impression that the candidate knows more that he really does.
• Job titles and responsibilities can be easily inflated.  When they get on the job, the cloud created by bluffing clears and then you realize you have a bad hire.
• Ask situational questions.  You may be able to tell how a candidate reacts to the question or explains a situation whether he knows what he is talking about.
• Check references, background and job titles.
• Verify employment dates- they are often stretched.   Even though most employers will not give any more than job title and employment dates, many times even that information will give a clue that everything is not as it seems to be on paper.

What to do if you have a bad hire?  You can train or you can terminate.  Employees Only’s team of HR professionals can assist you in choosing the best path, screen candidates, verify background and credentials, and help you avoid this pitfall in the future.