In yet another piece of research Graduate Prospects have unearthed some troubling evidence that suggest a good proportion of students and graduates are not entirely truthful on their CVs. Of 1,306 surveyed, a third reported that they knew someone who had lied on a CV or deliberately exaggerated their qualifications.
Apparently, graduates prone to tell porkies are most likely to give a higher grade than they actually achieved, with a substantial proportion claiming to have completed a course when they didn't. Smaller proportions falsely changed their degree subject to suit job requirements or claimed they had a degree they did not possess.
Perhaps more worryingly, many respondents thought that practices like lying on CVs or purchasing fake degree certificates would increase in the wake of increased tuition fees, although such results can presumably only be regarded as speculation.
Comment: I have to say that in all my time at the University of Cumbria, I have never uncovered a clear example of a student providing false information on a CV. There may have been one or two minor sins of omission but, in my view, our students are far more likely to undersell themselves on their CV.
For some hints on compiling a good (but truthful) CV, try the weblinks at http://delicious.com/skillzone/cv
1 comment:
Interestingly there has been some suggestions in "Graduate Recruiter" Magazine that cheating in online tests (particularly numeracy tests)is far more prevalent - either by asking someone else to do them, or by doing them as a group!
The reason: Applicants simply don't believe that employers are testing for a genuine minimum level of ability, but simply to cut down the numbers.
Apparently, employers have been encouraged to be 'fairly relaxed' about this trend - an attitude which is unlikely to be shared by those who do not cheat when they sit ability tests!
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