Wednesday Wisdom: If a Tree Falls in the Forest...

Dear Claudia,

A friend I went to college with has applied for a position at the company I work for. He's been out of work for a while and definitely has the skills to do the job, but there's a small problem: he lied about graduating and his degree on the resume. We don't verify education in the background check, and I really don't consider this to be a deal breaker; should I just let it slide?

Gatekeeper

Dear Gate Keeper,

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking for advice or permission? Because I gotta be honest with you, this kind of behavior generally has one outcome: more of the same. It is worse than dishonest; it's sneaky and sleazy. And I'm not even talking about your friend yet.

The saddest thing about this question is that you seem so sincere in your desire to help. Wouldn't a dose of honesty help your friend (and you) even more? If he's got the skills for the job, why be complicit in the lie? If this is your company's business culture, then I feel sorry for you; if it isn't, you're playing with an insidious behavior that has the power to eat away at the foundation of what makes a good company great.

As a recruiter, you hold more influence over the business culture than just about anyone else in the picture. Be careful what you wish for, my friend - you just might get it.

**

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Permalink Reply by BP on February 25, 2009 at 11:03am

This is for Gatekeeper,

While it is admirable that you want to help your friend, when you have been a recruiter for any length of time, you will find that honesty really is the best policy. You put your own (and your company's) reputation on the line every time you submit a candidate for a position and once you've lost the trust of your clients and peers, it's pretty much gone forever. I still remember one candidate whose resume showed that he had graduated with honors from an Ivy League college, only to find out later that he had never attended one class there! He was fired by the client and it put my department in an awkward situation. The sad thing is, this gentleman was a talented developer and the client probably would have hired him based upon his true educational achievements. This happened early in my career but it has stayed with me for years.

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Permalink Reply by Amitai Givertz on February 25, 2009 at 11:34am

Dear Doorpost...

Was graduating with a degree part of the initial requirement? If so, and failing your ability to persuade the client that your candidate more than offset a deficiency in that department, I don't see why you'd even submit the person. Was he your only send out?

I think the missing item in all of this is that the candidate was "your friend." So, if that was the deciding factor in your departure from protocol I would ask you this: a) Would your friend similarly jeopardize their business and reputation for you; and b) what does "being out of work for a while" have to do with it? Does your friend owe you money is he just "joining the club?"

If your need to be "liked" is stronger than your need to what is right you might consider something other than recruiting as a profession. When all is said and done, the only people who like recruiters are other recruiters. Even then, more often than not, that "friendship" is situational so watch out.

If you are committed to the profession -- and I guess you should at least be commended for bringing this up in an open forum -- get some coaching. Oh, and when you pick a coach, for goodness sake, don't choose one of your friends.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

Your friend,

Ami.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Yunker on February 25, 2009 at 2:11pm

Lying on the resume is a Huge Red flag. I would not put his candidacy forward until he changed the resume. As a friend I would educate him to the perils of this and why he needs to be honest about his Educational Background. The other question is the Degree a requirement for the job?

Matt