It is increasingly difficult to know if the information you are getting from a potential interviewee or colleague is accurate in today’s world. There are many reasons why someone may falsify their work history and experience, but there are also ways for employers to verify what they’re being told. In this post, we will explore five different ways to check the validity of an applicant’s work history.
Ask Previous Employers
If someone is applying to your place of business for that matter, the best thing you can do to verify employment details is to ask for their previous work history or confirm through third-party apps. A lot of companies have now updated their verifying process through online softwares. These programs fully confirm salary and past employment history for interviewers.
People will rarely apply for a job they don’t meet at least most of the criteria for, so if it checks out in their resume, they should provide multiple references with employers and job titles to back it up.
Reach out to these references and ask about the individual’s work history- were they punctual, reliable, did they have any outstanding skills or qualities that stood out? This is one of the most reliable ways to determine if someone is lying about their experience.
Check Social Media
Nowadays, just about everyone has a social media account, and chances are, if someone is lying about their work history, they will have left some digital footprint. Take the time to do a quick Google search on the individual and see if you can find any information on their online presence that contradicts what they’ve told you.
If they claim to have worked at a big-name company, check its social media accounts to see if there are any pictures of them. If they’re lying about their education, you might be able to find some exciting information on what they were posting 5 or 6 years ago.
Search Online Databases
There are several online databases that you can use to search for someone’s work history. One of the most popular is LinkedIn, where you can search for individuals and see their entire work history. If someone is lying about their experience, there’s a good chance that their profile won’t be wholly up-to-date or accurate.
If the individual has provided you with any documentation to back up their work history (e.g., degree, transcript, certification, etc.), take the time to verify the authenticity of these documents. It is becoming increasingly common for people to forge all sorts of paperwork, from transcripts and diplomas to certificates and references. You can usually verify whether or not a document is legitimate by searching for it online- if it isn’t there, the chances are that the person is using a fake reference.
Request for References From Professional Organizations
Another good way to determine if someone is lying about their experience is to reach out to organizations they have been a part of. Professional associations, unions and affiliations are usually the most reliable when it comes to references as employers consider it terrible form to not provide one.
You can try contacting their previous employer or any professional community they have been a part of. Or, if the individual has a LinkedIn profile, you can message them and ask for a reference. They may or may not provide you with one depending on their position, but it is worth trying nonetheless.
Ask Questions During the Interview
You can ask several questions during the interview process that will help determine if someone is lying about their experience. For example, if they’ve claimed to have a specific skill or qualification, ask them to walk you through how they acquired it. If they can’t provide a satisfactory answer, there’s a good chance they’re lying.
Another question you can ask is how they handled a difficult situation at work. Lying individuals will usually make up a story or try to embellish their experience, so if their answer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you have any other questions that you think might help determine if someone is lying about their experience, please ask them! The most important thing is to be as prepared as possible and trust your instincts.
In today’s world, it is more important than ever to verify someone’s work history before you decide to bring them on board. By using any of the five methods outlined in this post, you can rest assured that you are getting accurate information and making the best possible decision for your business.
