According to a recent survey, 52% of job candidates polled lied on their resume about having a college degree.
Here are 3 brief horror stories:
A new Director of Logistics and his family were actually loading the moving van provided by his new employer for relocation from California to North Carolina. The phone rang and it was the Human Resource Manager from his new company. The offer was being withdrawn. Through a routine degree verification check, the company learned the potential new employee did not have a degree. He was 3 hours short of graduating. Had the candidate been honest, the job was still his. It was an integrity issue.
Five candidates for a high level software sales job were interviewing. After the face to face interviews, the candidates were offered a "grace period" to revise their application. The company was aware of a problem with one canddiate. The lead candidate changed his college degree information to "Did Not Graduate." He was dropped from contention.
A candidate for a Vice President of Logistics position for a multi-billion/multi national company was offered the job. However, the background check could not verify the degree as listed on the resume. The stunned candidate said he could fix the problem. After one week, he called and faxed over the degree verification information. Only two blank pieces of paper came out of the fax. He said, "I must have faxed the wrong side." The offer was rescinded the night before his start date because of the integrity issue. The company would have hired him if he had been honest about not having a degree.
Offers withdrawn because of "no degree" are not because the lack of a college degree was a "deal breaker." The issue was that each of these high level managers misrepresented themselves on their resume and during the interview. As a search firm, we always encourage candidates to be upfront and candid about the information on the resume, including whether or not they have a college degree.
Don't try to hide it amongst several other educational courses you have taken. If you are hiring, ask the candidate directly. It's amazing how many hiring managers "assumed" the candidate graduated. The most deceptive piece on a resume is: University of Any State, 1986-1990. Listing the years but not if they graduated. Common oversight.
Most times, if the candidate has a solid background and the chemistry is strong with the organization, the company hires the person. Remember 70% of hiring is Chemistry. Degree isn't the most important factor.
Brett Stevens is founder and President of The SearchLogix Group (http://www.searchlogixgroup.com). Brett has enjoyed remarkable success in the executive search business.Hehas achieved the industry's highest level of professional certification: Certified Senior Account Manager (CSAM). Hehasreceived numerous regional, national, and international awards through meeting the needs of his clients. He continues to achieve record breaking performance and has been nationally recognized for those results with The SearchLogix Group. Brett is a member of the Council of Logistics Management, APICS and WERC. He has been recognized in many trade and online magazines and is a notable guest speakerand most recently, Brettwas recognized internationally by the American Stroke Associationfor his fundraising efforts. You can email Brett at mailto:brettstevens@searchlogixgroup.com or telephone him at 770-517-2660.
How to Write a Scientific Resume
You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and so writing your own résumé should be easy, correct? I mean, how hard could it be? Especially if you have written your own thesis or dissertation in the past, you may feel that you can save the $300 bucks (or however much it costs, even if it is a tax deduction!) and simply do it yourself. The answer to this may surprise you?Sometimes you can write your own résumé, and write it well.
How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.
Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs
What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists looking for work was simply a collection of works demonstrative of the artists style and ability. Because their works varied in size and shape, portfolios came in all sizes and shapes.
How To Write A Résumé
Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an effective résumé if you have no job target.
10 Tips For Writing A Professional Résumé
1. Start with an attractive layout.
Common Résumé Mistakes
Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use the same résumé to apply to several different jobs.
The Hidden Agenda of Interviews
It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of InterviewsWhat do you think you're going to an interview for? To list your qualifications and discuss what's on your resume? That's just the tip of the iceberg, and you're the Titanic if you don't go in with at least an idea of what is behind their questions.Sure, there are the standard questions, because the basic information has to be conveyed some way, and besides reading your resume, they like to see you sweat and whether you can be caught out with any inconsistencies between what is on paper, and what comes out of your mouth.
Just Graduated? HR Pros Think You're Lazy and Disloyal
You think you know, but you have no idea.
Discount Retailer Plans Hiring Events
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported the addition of 165,000 jobs in April and a national unemployment average of 7.5 percent.
Want a Job Interview? Fire Your Resume
With almost 4 billion resumes distributed annually, there's growing frustration among job seekers that they are blending into the competitive landscape.
Observations From the Field: Changes in Mechanical Engineering
The face of mechanical engineering is changing -- dramatically. Engineers aged 55 to 60 are retiring, taking vital knowledge with them.
The GRE Tests Give Students More Options than Ever
Accepted by more institutions than any other graduate admissions test, the GRE revised General Test now provides more options and opportunities for test takers.
Engineering Field Sees Low Unemployment, Higher Pay
When faced with an intimidating job market and sizeable student loans, students must give serious thought to which college degrees will help ensure a job with a substantial salary.
Finding a Way to Increase College Persistence
It's great to get low-income students to college, but what if they drop out during their first year?
New Career Opportunities Abound as Dependency on Computer Technology Grows
In personal and professional life, computer technology impacts even the simplest, everyday tasks.