How Would an Employer Know if an Employee Lied about Graduating College?
As a bricklayer who has hired many bricklayers and laborers throughout my career, I can usually tell within ten minutes if someone exaggerated their experience or lied about their qualifications. Walking on a job site can be enough to spot such inconsistencies. Just like in my experience, a network engineer was even walked out by security because they claimed a degree that they didn't have. This highlights how crucial verifying your educational background is when applying for jobs.
Verifying Academic Credentials
Employers have several methods to verify the authenticity of the degrees you claim to have. The most straightforward and effective method is for the company to send a request to the institution to confirm your educational achievements. This can typically be done through an exchange of emails. Since details about degrees conferred are public, employers can quickly verify your enrollment and graduation through the institution's records.
By claiming to have earned a degree during the job application process, you have given permission for the potential employer to verify all the information on your resume and cover letter. If discrepancies are found, you are no longer a valid candidate for employment. A simple phone call or letter to the college registrar can reveal the truth. It is important to understand that dishonesty in job applications can have severe consequences, including termination of employment.
Post-Employment Verification
Keep in mind that many companies continue to verify facts on resumes even after a person is employed. Verifying the claim about college degrees is one of the easiest elements to confirm. Vendors in specialized HR areas often perform these checks routinely, and colleges/universities are willing to assist. They typically have no external legal requirements to provide such information, making the process relatively straightforward.
For example, companies can ask: Was John Jones enrolled at X college? What was the date of enrollment and graduation? If a degree was awarded, what was the degree? Obtaining GPAs from certain schools can be more difficult, but often possible. Additionally, many applications contain boilerplate language stating that false statements will result in termination. I have personally terminated employees after determining that significant elements of their applications were falsified, as such dishonesty is unacceptable.
Conclusion
Telling the truth is crucial in the professional world, as it builds trust and integrity. Lying about your education can lead to long-term disappointment and rejection, as well as potential legal or ethical issues. It is always better to be honest from the outset, both during job applications and after being employed. Employers have the right to ensure that the qualifications and experience you claim to have are genuine, and doing so helps maintain the integrity and reliability of the workforce.
Key Takeaways:
Employers can easily verify your educational background through institutional records and requests. Dishonesty during job applications can lead to termination of employment. Verification of college degrees is an easy and routine process for HR professionals.