With an increase in lying on resumes in the job market, employers have more to worry about than making sure they have employees with solid qualifications: they have to ensure that the attributes job candidates claim to have exist at all, a process which requires more investigation than the routine criminal background check. There isn’t an automatic database for dishonest individuals, but manual education verifications can help separate the liars from the rest of the applicant pool.
Education verifications involve the employer or third-party verification firm calling the registrar’s office at the university of record and confirming details such as:
- Dates of attendance
- Area of studies
- Degree attained
For a small fee, companies like Victig can perform these verifications, which are customizable. Some employers need only acquire basic information, while others may need detailed educational history in order to evaluate a potential employee. Using a third-party firm allows employers to focus on their day-to-day business needs while ensuring that they have thorough employment screening results. Victig can deliver this information in as little as 24-72 hours.
Furthermore, education verifications give employers a more personal look at who they might be hiring. Comparing a job candidate’s resume next to the results of an education verification demonstrates how an individual conveys critical information about his or her background. How someone conveys information gives insight into a person’s character and how he or she might fit into a specific work environment.
While education verification wasn’t created for the sole purpose of catching resume inaccuracies, it does address the specific (and prevalent) problem of dishonesty on job application materials. Employees who can stand up to a detailed background screening will be more likely to exhibit integrity in their job functions, and employers who have a more complete picture of who they are hiring will have peace of mind during the hiring process.
