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CV Cheats Lie To Get Jobs

By BBC technology correspondent Christine McGourty

@ BBC News online

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1035000/1035014.stm

Job applicants regularly lie on their CVs to get or stay in employment, with graduates and older workers the worst offenders, a survey has revealed.

Recruitment company Pitman Training carried out a nationwide survey of bosses and employees. It found that graduates and people nearing retirement were the biggest "CV cheats", as they fear a lack of training and work experience will damage their career prospects.

Among the 300 employees polled, 67% of all 18 to 25 year-olds and half of all 56 to 65 year-olds admitted to making false claims about their qualifications on their CVs. Meanwhile, 50% of the 300 bosses surveyed said insufficient experience was the main reason for staff failing to gain a promotion.

In addition, 25% of bosses cited lack of training for promotion rejection, 13% said the applicant expected too high a salary, and 6% said the applicant was too young or was not liked by peers.

Lack of confidence

But a prospective employee who can prove their qualifications has an advantage over their rivals and could expect a larger starting salary, according to 56% of bosses.

"Lack of confidence in basic job skills is a vicious circle," said Chris Marshall, chief executive of Pitman Training, adding that it could cause job dissatisfaction and limit promotion prospects.

The survey found this forced 48% of employees to stay in jobs they hated.

"Well-trained employees stand a better chance of securing a job and a more confident person will gain the trust of a potential employer more easily," said Mr Marshall.

"Graduates and school leavers, this largest group of CV cheats, would be wiser to brush up their technique and confidence with a core office skills course, rather than making false claims and then worrying about being capable of the job."

The survey also found that only 13% of women who had taken a career break to have children felt confident enough to return to their jobs.

About 58% of women believed they could not return to work because their knowledge, particularly of IT skills, was out of date.

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Food For Thought:

Here is an article from The Guardian which tackles the same issue from a different perspective.

http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/rise/story/0,,964479,00.html

@ Guardian Unlimited

Careless Or Cavalier Cvs And Letters Cost Careers

Ten job application crimes that will condemn your job chances

Hilary Freeman

Saturday October 27, 2001

The Guardian

We all know that crime doesn't pay. But it's amazing how many of us are guilty of job application crimes - basic, stupid mistakes that can cost us jobs. Potential, experience, talent and enthusiasm are meaningless if you can't fill in an application form properly, or submit a decent CV and covering letter.

Read Rise's comprehensive guide to avoiding job application crimes and, with luck, you should be out on probation for the rest of your career.

1. Recklessness

They told you at school: read the instructions carefully before you start. Sadly, not all of us remember this invaluable lesson when it comes to application forms.

If the form says "use black ink", don't make your prose purple. If it says "write in block capitals", don't present a joined-up scrawl. Putting your qualifications or work experience in chronological order "with the most recent first" may seem illogical, but if it's what they ask for, it's what they want.

Ideally, you should photocopy your form and practise rough versions before filling out the original. This will give you ample time to iron out mistakes.

Sentence: Failure to read instructions could see your application form dropped straight in the bin.

2. Bribery and corruption

Typing your CV on pink/flowery paper or worse, spraying it with perfume, will not impress. One, it's not original. Two, it's tacky. Three, your potential employer might have an allergy to Calvin Klein (or it could remind them of their ex/mother). And never, ever enclose a gift. A decent employer won't accept it. An indecent one will probably sexually harass you as soon as you start work.

Sentence: Public humiliation. Your CV will be the subject of office derision before finding its way to the shredder.

3. Ignorance is no excuse

Every employer knows you'll be applying for several jobs. That doesn't mean they want to be reminded of it when they receive your application form/CV. Never write "Dear Sir/Madam". Never ever get their name or title wrong.

Tailor each letter/application to individual jobs in individual organisations. That means doing thorough research on the internet and in your local library. Don't be afraid to call up to check names and ask for information.

Sentence: Exile from the company.

4. Applying without due care and attention

Messy writing might be a sign of genius, but it won't help you get a job. Neither will lots of crossings out, overwriting or creative use of tippex. As far as an employer's concerned, a sloppy application form = a sloppy employee. If you can, type your form or letter, unless the job ad specifically requests a hand-written application. CVs should always be typed.

Sentence: Your form will go straight to the bottom of the pile.

5. Illiteracy

Your teechers diddent learn you rite? T.U.F.F. All employers expect prospective employees to have a basic grasp of the English language. All employers expect prospective employees to have a basic grasp of the English language. A poorly spelled application will make them seethe with frustration, however fantastic the content. Check for spelling, grammar and typos. Beware computer spell-checks which may Americanise some words and ignore other errors. Tip: ask someone to read your application beforehand.

Sentence: Go straight to the dole queue.

6. Fraud

Research shows the practice is rife, but lying about your qualifications is a mug's game. Many employers now demand exam certificates or make thorough background checks. If your lie is discovered some years down the track, your successful career could be over.

Sentence: You might get away with it. But even the Krays got caught.

7. Impersonation

Don't lie about your hobbies and interests. Say you speak fluent Russian and you can be damn sure your interviewer will turn out to be a former KGB agent. Claim you enjoy reading? Make sure you can talk about the last book you read.

Sentence: Your interview could come to an embarrassingly abrupt end.

8.Being over the word limit

Your CV should not resemble the first draft of Crime and Punishment. Unless you're nearing retirement, a CV should never exceed two A4 pages - one if you can manage it. A letter shouldn't be more than one page. As a general rule, 12-point type is the minimum you should employ in most fonts. Invest in some good quality, white paper and don't enclose supplementary pages.

Sentence: As for manslaughter. You'll have bored your prospective employer to death.

9. Submitting a mug shot

Unless you're applying to a modelling agency, sending in a photo won't aid your application. Holiday/party snaps will make you appear frivolous, passport photos will make you look like a criminal. If a company wants to see what you look like, they'll ask.

Sentence: Your photo will be put up on the office noticeboard - either as a pin-up or a dartboard.

10. Confessing to past crimes

So you failed your Biology GCSE and got a "U" in General Studies A level? Keep it to yourself. However good the rest of your exam results, the failures will stick out like a sore thumb. Sacked from your first job after three months? You still worked there for three months - it's still experience (just don't say you were sacked). Avoid unexplained gaps.

Sentence: A month's confidence-building course.

· With thanks to Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, Rob Yeung, business psychologist and senior consultant at Kiddy & Partners and Lawrence Wilson, director of careers and student development at Canterbury Christchurch University College.

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CV Cheats Lie To Get Jobs

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CV Cheats Lie To Get Jobs