One in five now lie on their CV

Powerchex - those nice pre-employment screening people - have published their annual pre-employment screening survey. And it makes intresting reading. Amongst other nuggets, the survey reveals that

• the number of candidates whose CVs contain a discrepancy increased this year to 19% – the highest level for three years.
• Brokers have a disproportionately large number of candidates applying to them with hidden criminal records.
• there was a sharp increase this year in the number of under‐21 year olds with discrepancies on their CVs.
• Candidates educated in the state sector are 25% more likely to lie on their CV than those educated in the independent sector.

The "big three" CV fibs are inflating academic grades, overstating job title and duties and lying about the reason for leaving a job. All of which emphasises the importance of getting the recruitment procedure right from the start - and always making job offers conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references!