Why You Need Verification and Credentialing
Verification services help you make sure your applicants can live up to the claims they make on their resumes. Do they really have that advanced degree, professional license or military record? You would be surprised by how many people fake these things… and how many people believe them.
Stacy Jenkins, PhD!?
Stacy Jenkins had a fabulous career at MIT, rising through the ranks like a rock star. In 1979 she was hired as an entry-level admissions officer and finished her career as the Dean of Admissions. At the time she claimed to have several degrees, including a Ph.D. - but it was all a lie. Incredibly enough, the ruse was not discovered even as Ms. Jenkins received promotion after promotion. She was even promoted to Dean of Admissions for the esteemed institution and served in that role for 9 years before it was discovered that she had lied about all three of her advanced degrees.
Education/ Degree Verification
To get this information it is necessary to contact each and every institution listed on your candidate’s resume. Reports include the dates they attended, the fields they studied, the date of graduation, the degree earned, and grade point averages. You can get this report from high school through advanced degrees.
Employment Verification
A call or email to previous employers can confirm your applicant’s work history including dates, reason for leaving, eligibility for rehire and other details. This helps uncover any inconsistencies and gaps in employment history. Significant, unexplained gaps might give new employers cause for concern.
Professional Reference Check
Professional Reference Checks validate a candidate’s work history but also give some insight into their job performance. References are interviewed on a variety of topics, from the reference’s general opinion of the applicant to their moral character. They can ask about the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses and if they would want to work with them again.
Licensing and Professional Certification Verification
This search applies to any type of professional license, for example medical personnel, accountants, attorneys, engineers and real estate agents. The results will tell you if the person’s license is valid, when it expires and if there have been any disciplinary actions.
Military Service Records Verification
A search of military records can show the dates served and the last rank held.