Who Falsifies Information Uncovered By Background Checks?

So who's most likely to fail a background check?

In 2007, Kroll analyzed the eight most common employment screening criteria to see what portion of potential employees lied or left important information off job applications and background checks.

The results? About 51 percent of real estate industry workers had at least one late payment on their credit history, 48 percent lied about former employment and more than 40 percent had an unclean driving record.

In the financial services industry, about 7 percent had criminal records, 48 percent lied about former employment and 21 percent lied about their education. It also was shown those in the education industry were the most likely, at 9 percent, to fail a drug test.

According a Monster Career Advice article, lying on a job application or background check could mean anything from jotting down the wrong starting date of a previous job to lying about a criminal conviction.

The article notes that everyone embellishes when describing their experiences, accomplishments and achievements, the same way companies can often hype up how great a job can be, or use employment branding to boast their company. It is noted that embellishment turns into misrepresentation when someone stretches facts beyond credibility, for example inventing degrees or positions.

“People will lie about the degree they have,” Jason Morris, president of employeescreenIQ, is quoted as saying. “They’re going for a position in finance so they say they have a finance degree when they have a business degree. It’s very simple to check someone’s major. We call to verify the information on the resume.”

The article suggests that job seekers always tell the truth, so as not to tarnish their credibility.

"Chances are your interviewer knows that poor credit can follow a divorce, that teenagers do stupid things and that people are sometimes out of work," the article adds. "Be ready with a contrite explanation that admits your fault in the incident, shows how you rectified the problem and then brings the conversation back to why you’re right for the current position."