In the current job market with more vacancies than candidates, some people may take advantage by providing false information to recruiters and hiring managers. Recognising some of these red flags will help to avoid a potentially bad hire and challenging situation for everyone.
Candidates with fake profiles often have a long list of unrealistic job skills, making themselves appear as highly qualified employees. Such candidates may be too good to be true, so it doesn’t hurt to ask for further validation.
Inconsistent information about employment history and experience is the next common feature in a fake profile. Unexplained gaps in employment or experience that do not match up are undoubtedly red flags for further investigation.
In today’s landscape, most people have some form of social media presence. Social media platform is one of the easiest ways to check for the accuracy of information. Chances are, candidates will have very little social media presence if they provide fake information.
If you can do a reference check, ask probing questions to understand the candidate’s employment history, motivation for leaving their role, and skill set. There is a high chance the referees cannot answer these, and the gaps of inconsistent information become wider.
As a recruiter or hiring manager, your gut instinct is one of your most essential tools. If your gut feels something isn’t right, chances are, something isn’t right!
