A survey by ResumeLab found that 70% of workers admit to lying on their resumes, and 37% say they do it frequently. The survey, which included 1,900 workers, also revealed that 75% lie on their cover letters, and 80% lie during job interviews. What’s even more surprising is that individuals with a master’s or doctorate degrees are more likely to lie, with 85% admitting to resume lies and 90% being untruthful on their cover letters. This is where verification services come into play, playing a pivotal role in validating a candidate’s credentials and work history. Let’s explore the importance of verification services and how they contribute to making informed hiring decisions.
Services
Verification services are essential for confirming the academic and professional credentials of job candidates. This includes degrees, certifications, licenses, and professional memberships. A simple claim on a resume can be misleading, and credential verification ensures that the qualifications stated are genuine and valid.
Candidates often exaggerate their work experience or provide inaccurate details about their employment history. Verification services contact previous employers to confirm the dates of employment, job titles, and job responsibilities. This helps you accurately assess a candidate’s qualifications and suitability for the role.
Benefits
Avoiding Hiring Mistakes:
Hiring the wrong candidate can be costly in terms of time, resources, and productivity. Verification services reduce the likelihood of hiring individuals who are unqualified or have a history of unethical behavior. By making sure that candidates are who they claim to be, you can mitigate the risk of costly hiring mistakes.
Enhancing Workplace Safety:
In some industries, verifying a candidate’s work history and conduct in previous roles is essential for ensuring a safe work environment. For positions that involve security, financial responsibility, or access to sensitive information, this step is critical in preventing potential threats.
Legal Compliance:
Verification services help organizations remain in compliance with employment laws and regulations. Adhering to background check procedures and verifying information consistently ensures that your hiring process is legally sound, minimizing the risk of legal challenges.
The Process of Verification Services
The process of verification services typically involves the following steps:
Education Verification: Contacting educational institutions to confirm degrees, certifications, and dates of attendance.
Employment Verification: Reaching out to previous employers to validate the candidate’s job history, position, and duration of employment.
Professional License Verification: Ensuring that the candidate’s professional licenses and certifications are current and legitimate.
Reference Checks: Contacting references provided by the candidate to assess their qualifications and fit for the role.
Criminal Background Checks: Verifying a candidate’s criminal history to assess their suitability for a particular position.
Verification services are an indispensable component of the hiring process. They enable organizations to make informed hiring decisions, validate a candidate’s credentials and work history, and avoid costly hiring mistakes. By ensuring that candidates are qualified, trustworthy, and reliable, verification services contribute to creating a competent and safe workforce, which is crucial for the success and reputation of any organization. When it comes to making hiring decisions, trust but verify.
Posted by Morgan Mower
Morgan is the Co-Founder and CRO of Western Verify, and spends his free time hanging with his family or making a Sunday dinner brisket.