Exclusive new research by Reed Business Information (Recruitment Media) reveals some surprises about those most likely to be economical with the truth on their CV.
Results suggest that seniority has a role in determining the likelihood of job hunters telling lies on their CVís. Company owners were most likely to be deceitful with19% admitted to having lied. Managers and directors were the next most likely to bend the truth with11% confessing to lying on their CVís.
The most common thing job applicants chose to embellish was their interests outside work. Across the sectors sampled 39% of all those who admitted lying - and 44% of all directors - lied about their hobbies.
Independent consultant on employment issues Andy Parsley analysed the survey results, I have to admit I was very surprised when I first looked at the findings as it is clear that the most senior employees are also the least trustworthy when applying for new positions.
There is a great deal of research which shows that senior people are likely to be working long hours and are, therefore, less likely to find time to indulge in hobbies and social activities. At the same time, however, businesses are extolling the virtues of the work/life balance. So, while this research at face value offers us simply an amusing insight into the habits of senior people, it does have a serious message. At a time when having it all - and critically having it all in perfect balance - is perceived to be the measure of true success, the only way overworked employees can be seen to achieve this objective is to lie about the richness of their life out of the workplace! I think that is rather shocking.
The íThe Salary Index: salary and employment surveyí was conducted across 7 industry sectors and includes information from more than 15,000 respondents.
RBI Recruitment Media gained exclusive access to professional employees in the catering, construction, electronics, HR, IT, social care, and travel industries, through their portfolio of business publications and specialist websites.
The majority of respondents (64%) were managers or above and answered a detailed questionnaire about their benefits, referral schemes, length of employment, motivation and other important factors that affect their employment.
The information will be used to assist recruiters using RBIís websites or magazines and will ensure theyíre fully equipped to reach the best possible sample group for their vacancy and target them with most appealing package.
The report also found a marked regional divide in CV liars. Workers in London and Ireland were most likely to bend the truth when applying for jobs, 12% of them falsifying their CVs. Over half of the Irish job hunters that admitted they lied, lied about their hobbies. Londoners on the other hand were more likely to falsify information about salaries and experience.
Senior workers under pressure to lie on CVís
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