CV and resume checking: Do you know who you are employing?

The incidence of prospective employees altering or stretching the truth is on the rise, and there are estimates that up to 42% of people are providing false or misleading information on their CVs. With jobs being harder to come by, it seems that otherwise honest, law abiding people are prepared to do whatever it takes to land that new position.

Now more than ever it is important to verify details supplied by job applicants as well as other historical information of interest that has been excluded on applications.

What particular areas should you check?
Of course, time is often an issue when conducting selection processes, but it is vital that at least some aspects of the provided information be verified. Critical things to check include:

• Qualifications – ask to see proof of qualifications or licences or obtain permission to ask the relevant university/authority
• Professional memberships – ask to see proof of membership or obtain permission to ask the relevant association
• Previous employment – contact at least two previous employers and verify that the person worked there and (importantly) the employment period. Check this carefully against the information provided
• Claims of career successes – ask for a contact that you can speak to, to verify the details of claimed career successes.

After performing the critical checks, it is necessary to make a decision on what further verification action you will take. This will depend on what you have found, the type of position you are filling and your gut feeling on the applicant. Consider the following checks:

• National police check
• National fingerprint check
• Commercial Credit check
• Reference check
• Detailed employment history check
• Worldwide media search
• Employment Court Judgments check
• Bankruptcy search
• Australian Telephone Database Check
• ASIC Personal Name Check including any association with a failed business
• Litigation database search to determine any involvement in legal action
• Immigration Status search.

What if you find discrepancies?
One or two minor discrepancies may occur due to innocent error or omission; in these cases it is always worth having a discussion with the applicant. More than one or two issues – or any more serious issues – should immediately raise a red flag.

We can help
Probity Investigation Consultants have been conducting CV and resume checking services for the Department of Justice and Chief Commissioner of Police for 15 years. Our proven methodology can be tailored to suit your exact requirements and usually begins with the person of interest completing a questionnaire. The answers provided are then verified and additional information is collected.

Our analysts perform detailed, thorough searches and provide all results in a concise and easy to read report. Our investigations can usually be completed with 24 hours – so that extra attention to detail won’t hold up your selection process.

Please contact Paul Fallon, Principal of DDC and PIC for further details or advice.

Trust but Verify

The Global Financial Crisis has resulted in $trillions of investment losses, many of which could have been avoided if basic due diligence and financial risk assessment had been undertaken.

Over the past 15 years, Due Diligence Consultants (DDC) has developed a set of due diligence and financial risk indicators which reliably differentiate a healthy company from an unhealthy one that is likely to fail. Based on a quantitative risk measurement software program and other qualitative factors, DDC has been able to identify those companies which have the characteristics of a failing firm and assist its clients in avoiding substantial financial loss and contract risk.
DDC and its related company, Probity Investigation Consultants Pty Ltd (PIC), are currently acting for a wide range of public sector clients in Australia and overseas. They have developed special expertise in the following industries: 

• Gambling (casinos, gaming, wagering and regulatory monitoring);
• Private prisons and forensic health services (Australia, UK and USA);
• Emergency and justice services, including courts, security and prisoner transport;
• Water industry including outsourcing of major treatment plants;
• Transportation, including ticketing projects; and
• Health sector, including major hospital projects.

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH?
DDC can assist with cost effective and efficient methodologies to determine whether you are dealing with the RIGHT people, for example:

HOW CAN YOU PREDICT A BUSINESS LIKELY TO FAIL?
History shows there are a number of reliable indicators which identify a firm which is likely to fail before they actually fail. Well informed creditors and investors can act to minimise their exposures BEFORE it is too late. Early warning signals can include:

• Not paying their bills, and particularly tax on time
• Involvement in material commercial litigation including payment defaults;
• Change of name and/or accounting period;
• Receivables and stock levels increasing significantly above sales growth;
• Negative operating cash flows;
• No tax expenses where a profit is declared; and
• Significant contract terminations or failures to renew.