Distorted or exaggerated information on Resume do not always result in rejection of candidates

Updated on: Monday, May 13, 2013

Lying or exaggerating on a resume or even having a criminal record aren't quite the hiring deal breakers people believe, a new US study has claimed.

More than 70 per cent of businesses surveyed said less than 5 per cent of candidates with criminal records are not hired due to their indiscretions, the research by background check provider EmployeeScreenIQ found.

The study was based on surveys of nearly 1,000 human resources professionals representing a range of US organisations.

Employers consider a number of factors when deciding whether to hire a candidate with a criminal past, including the age and severity of the records, whether the person is a repeat offender and the relevance of the record to the job opening, 'BusinessNewsDaily' reported.

Overall, felony convictions for violent crimes were the most likely infractions to disqualify a candidate, while misdemeanour convictions for drug and alcohol related offences were the least likely to prevent a candidate from being hired.

More than half of the employers surveyed are more inclined to hire a candidate who discloses a criminal conviction prior to a background check.

However, most businesses reported that criminal convictions are openly reported by less than 5 per cent of job seekers.

Employers estimate that 60 per cent of job candidates distort or exaggerate information on their resumes, but less than 15 per cent of job candidates are rejected due to such distortions, the study found.

According to the researchers, resume distortion, much like criminal convictions, appear to be viewed as just a single component of the larger 'candidate snapshot' that must be taken into consideration.

"The overarching takeaway is that employers seem to be screening and hiring in a responsible, acceptable and compliant fashion," said Nick Fishman, chief marketing officer of EmployeeScreenIQ.

The research also dispels the common perception that employers spend their time pouring over the online activities of workers and potential new hires.

More than 60 per cent of employers said they never review sites such as Facebook and Twitter as part of the background checking process.

Distorted or exaggerated information on Resume do not always result in rejection of candidates

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