The Importance of Background Checks

Unfortunately, fake candidates are becoming more common, and a recent study indicated that only 1 in 5 HR professionals are confident that they are able to detect applicant details that are fake or exaggerated. By contrast, nearly three-quarters of respondents said they have encountered fake or at least misleading claims of qualifications from candidates. The most common areas of “distortion” are in job history, education and credentials. Not coincidentally, ten percent of job seekers admit to having been untruthful on their resumes – mostly in those same three areas. AI-faked remote video interviewees have also been encountered. (One trick interviewers can use is to have the candidate turn their head from side to side, which not generally part of the program.) Deepfake detectors and other AI tools are available to employers as well, but those must be monitored to avoid bias. This all points to the importance of thorough background checks.