Member Article

One fifth of CVs contain ?major lies?

20% of all CVs submitted for job applications contain “significant” lies, according to new research.

The study, carried out by employee screening specialists The Risk Assessment Group, looked at more than 3700 CVs submitted by job applicants in 2006. The results showed that discrepancies on CVs were becoming more serious and are not simply mistakes. Exaggerated academic qualifications and employment histories were among the most common inaccuracies discovered.

The research also found that the number of CVs that contain discrepancies is on the increase – over 50% of the screened CVs included one or more inaccuracy.

Sal Remtulla, Head of Employee Screening for The Risk Advisory Group, said: “This year’s results have yet again brought to our attention how unscrupulous candidates can be when applying for jobs, and highlight their apparent lack of conscience towards potential new employers. The serious nature of these discrepancies emphasises the need for heightened attention during the recruitment process.”

Other inaccuracies screened for by TRAG’s specialist employment screening unit over the last year range from the nondisclosure of County Court Judgments to bankruptcy and other credit infringements. Some candidates lied about the university they attended and even failed to disclose criminal records.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .