A quarter of potential jobseekers will lie to get a job

HR directors and recruiting professionals need to be aware that almost a quarter (24%) of potential job seekers are prepared to stretch the truth in securing a job whilst 15% admit they would exaggerate about their skills, qualifications and experience, says SHL Group.

Research carried out by the talent assessment specialist, suggests that the current economic climate and the resulting competition for jobs could push candidates to bend the facts in their favour with 23% saying that tough economic times and the fact that other candidates would be exaggerating left them no choice if they were to compete for a job.

With more than ten people competing for each job, employers cannot afford to take CVs of claimed skills, qualifications experience as honest. The same is true of interviews. The current economic climate has created an environment of ‘ultra high stakes’ assessment with candidates becoming desperate to secure roles therefore it is vital that candidates are tested against the competencies required of the role and assessed accordingly and that there is a clear audit trail linking the assessment to the requirements of the job.”

Recruiting professionals are being snowed under with applications making sifting and selection an almost impossible and time-consuming task.

The research also revealed:

• Young workers aged between 18 and 24 years old were more likely to stretch the truth for a job than older workers (37% compared to 26% of 35-44 year olds)
• Potential candidates in London (20%) and Scotland (21%) were most likely to up their skills because they felt others would do so to compete for a job
• Full time students were most likely to try and fool recruiters with 39% admitting that the current economic climate and competition for jobs would make them stretch the truth.