The Society for Human Resource Management’s 2010 “Background Checking: Conducting Reference Background Checks” survey includes revealing details about which background topics are most commonly misrepresented by job candidates.
Sample question from the survey:
“How often do you discover information that is inaccurate compared to what job candidates presented during the interview process when conducting reference background checks on job candidates…?”
–60% said they “sometimes” find inaccuracies with dates of previous employment (6% answered “always”)
–51% said they “sometimes” find inaccuracies with past salaries (6% answered “always”)
–46% answered they “sometimes” find inaccuracies with former job responsibilities (4% said “always”)
–39% answered they “sometimes” find inaccuracies with education background (4% said “always”)
–Only 16% said they “sometimes” find inaccuracies with military discharge information (3% said always)
–8% answered that they “always” find inaccuracies related to articles published and speaking
The survey was completed by over 400 hiring professionals.
More information here:
http://www.shrm.org/Research/SurveyFindings/Articles/Pages/ConductingReferenceBackgroundChecks.aspx
It’s possible to overlook potential red flags while doing background checks. But using multiple forms of assessment, including handwriting analysis, in your screening process will greatly reduce the costly mistake of a bad hire.
Copyright © 2010 Scott Petullo