HRM CHRONICLES
Fraudulent CVs and fake certificates : Netting the culprits
By Samson Osero
Angela and Daudi recently joined me on a sunny afternoon at Olepolos Meat Eatery . It was teeming with patrons who were whetting their appetites to munch the sizzling nyama choma cuts . We made our orders and began warming up on current affairs , particularly the ongoing vaccinations against the stubborn Covid-19 pandemic .
To steer away from the untold consequences of the pandemic , I told the two : “ Let us focus on our labor market . Regardless of untamable unemployment , HR continues to gabble with fraudulent CVs and fake certificates .” I narrated a story of a jobless university graduate whose CV was littered with non-existent employers with fancy business names . The graduate wanted to close his working experience gap by showcasing previous but relevant fictitious positions .
Angela , a seasoned HR professional , commented : “ HR is put to task . Discriminating authentic employers on CVs can be a laborious and futile exercise .” A quick search on the internet could show “ no match ” with the business names . Since it is not compulsory to include contacts of one ’ s previous employers on the CV , a recruiter would hit a dead end .
From the word go , any contacts would be useless because listed employing organizations do not exist . Last ditch attempts at obtaining a candidate ’ s employment information from his or her LinkedIn profile could reveal outrageous inconsistencies with their CV .
Angela continued : “ It ’ s during the interview when we fish out candidates who ’ ve provided false information . They lose ground in a bid to put up a spirited fight on answering competency-based questions .”
More often than not , the candidates ’ body language betrays them as they struggle recalling forged working experiences . Candidates who provide employment history which is not backed with required skills do not clinch the vacant position .
On my previous experience of contacting CV referees , I said : “ Some referees get shocked . They lost touch with a candidate a long while ago . Other referees decline to vouch for a candidate because they cannot confirm information required .” For instance , a purported referee may not know whether or not the candidate was a team player .
Candidates are advised to provide referees who know them to the extent of confirming their past or current employment .
Visibly absorbed in the discussion , Daudi , a lecturer in political science , said : “ We are trying to solve a problem whose roots are too deep to fathom . Who knows ? The CV cheating graduates may have done the same throughout their educational system .” He fell short of saying : “ They now want to perfect the art in the labor market by doctoring working experience into their CVs . What persistent behavior !”
Angela and I broke into a dericious laughter . We appreciated the saying : “ Once a thief , always a thief .” The graduate in question could be a habitual offender who may sometimes be caught at the worst time . For instance , in 2016 a fake doctor had conducted surgeries in a public hospital before he was caught . A local university denied that he was its medical graduate .
Daudi quipped : “ The effects of our final-examinations-oriented educational system is being felt in the labor market . Employers ’ unrealistic demand for working experience from the jobless candidates could fuel its fabrication .” Employers would be better offering internship opportunities for fresh graduates as a precursor to possible future employment .
Back to CVs with unverified contents , I suggested : “ It is high time we established CV Verification Bureaus which recruiters can access in confidence . They can be a kind of DCI or CRB to issue a certificate of CV details confirmation .”
My friends frowned at my proposal likening it to services of Staff Check in the private security sector . The other alternative would be for the National Employment Authority to create a database of verified CVs for access to interested parties . For instance , professional bodies have databases
“ The effects of our final-examinations-oriented educational system is being felt in the labor market . Employers ’ unrealistic demand for working experience from the jobless candidates could fuel its fabrication .”
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