This Just In: Americans Routinely Lie on Their Resumes

"Americans Are Unethical in Getting Jobs" is the straightforward name and thesis of a new newsletter by Bradford Smart, Ph.D., president of Chicago-area-based hiring consultancy firm Smart & Associates Inc. Judging from 65,000 case studies on how people got jobs, Smart says that outplacement firms and job-seeking books almost all recommend lying on one's resume and in interviews. He adds that the prevailing advice goes beyond hyping the positives and toning down admission of negatives; the prevalence of the practice suggests the nation is in need of an "ethical transplant," he says.

Smart notes that outplacement counselors and authors of job-hunting books know that companies prohibit their managers from giving out reference information or opinions for fear of a lawsuit and thus recommend that people list only references who will sing their praises--neighbors and golfing buddies, if those will be the most positive. Realizing they probably won't be caught in lies, and convinced they'll have a better chance of getting the job if they are deceptive, job candidates let their ethics wane, Smart says, adding that the rampant deception is costing American employers in both time and money.

Going against the grain of such practices, Smart developed the "Topgrading" method of hiring and retaining employees, and his Web site, www.SmartTopgrading.com, is offering a free, 50-page eBook titled "Avoid Costly Mis-Hires" that outlines his ideas. Among the strategies Smart has for employers, for example, is to tell job candidates upfront that they will have to arrange reference calls with their former employers. "That motivates poor candidates to drop out, but the good ones want you to talk with their former bosses," says Smart, "and candidates, knowing you'll talk with bosses, are very honest in interviews."

Industrial Hygiene Product Showcase

  • Green Gobbler Safety Shower Test Cart

    Shower and Eyewash Test

    Weekly activation of safety showers is now a quick and dry process. The Green Gobbler Safety Funnel extends to shower head to test the water spray pattern. A clear tube can verify clarity. A thermometer can test temperature and graduated sight glass can test volume. Accessories are available to test pedestal eyewash and fold down out of wall eyewash stations. Test 15 showers (two gallons in six seconds), empty cart in one to two minutes, repeat as needed. 3

  • Tether Track™

    Tether Track™

    Tether Track™ Protects Your People From Fall Risks Gorbel’s Tether Track™ Rigid Rail Fall Arrest Anchor Systems are a cost-effective way to reduce the risk of worker injury in elevated work environments. They’re available in Ceiling Mounted, Free Standing Monorail, and Bridge Anchor Systems. Customized solutions designed to fit your needs in either indoor or outdoor settings. Reduce the risk of falls without impacting productivity! 3

  • BAND V2

    BAND V2

    SlateSafety’s BAND V2 is the most rugged, easy-to-use connected safety wearable to help prevent heat stress incidents in the workplace. No additional hardware is needed to monitor large teams performing tough jobs across vast worksites. This physiological monitor worn on the upper-arm measures biometric data and sends real-time safety alerts when customized thresholds are met. BAND V2 includes a wide range of functionality such as worker physiological monitoring, real-time location status, automated work/rest cycles and more. Organizations can keep larger workforces safe with real-time, secure and transparent data. Stop by booth #408 at AIHce for a live demonstration! 3

Featured

Webinars