Checking someones qualifications

How do I check if someone has a BA Honors

[chris_f]

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone knew how to check if someone has a BA Honors? I am in the UK a wish to check if a potential employee does have a BA Honors or if he's making it up. Is there some kind of register in the UK?

Chris

[VictorE]

I assume this is some sort of college degree. If so, could you not call the school directly? I know that it is common in the US for employers to call universities to verify credentials.

[jeremy goodrich]

From the statistics I've read in the US, from the Wall Street Jounal, more than 50% of people that recently had received a job, lied about something on their application / in the interview.

And, recently in Silicon Valley (where I live, lots of tech companies, etc) a high profile CTO was investigated (of a publically traded firm no less) and found that he had lied about having an MBA from Stanford University.

Bottom line in the US, it's very, very difficult to find if somebody is telling the truth or not.

The question shouldn't be about academic background, but skills. However, perhaps somebody has some more specific help they can give :)

[chris_f]

>> I assume this is some sort of college degree

University degree.

I have thought of contacting the university but I know the admin person knows the potential employee. Is there another way of checking?

Chris

[JayC]

As VictorE said, contact the school and ask them for their degree verification procedure. In the US at least some schools are now outsourcing this, but most will do it through their registration office or equivalent.

Bottom line in the US, it's very, very difficult to find if somebody is telling the truth or not.

Not really. But most potential employers don't bother to check.

I have thought of contacting the university but I know the admin person knows the potential employee.

You're making an official inquiry to the university regarding their records. For an employee to falsify that for someone they know would be a pretty serious offense, I'd think.

[rogerd]

Get a friend to call the University on your behalf. If word gets back to the employee, just say you have a third party check key resume elements prior to hiring.

[willybfriendly]

Why not just have the person provide copies of their own transcripts?

And, I agree with jeremy_goodrich. You are asking the wrong question. It is skills, ability and commitment that will serve your business best. A degree, with or without honors, may or may not reflect the qualities that you need in an employee.

[le_gber]

Ask him/her to provide an original/copy of their diploma + graduation year book (where their name should appear in it).

Then have someone call the uni if your not sure.

And like other said my degree honors is in european business but I'm not sure you would want me doing this :)

Leo

[rogerd]

A degree, with or without honors, may or may not reflect the qualities that you need in an employee.

Quite true, but it is unlikely that one would want an employee who falsely claimed to have an honors diploma.

Colleges answer inquiries to verify that an individual received a degree all the time. It's standard resume checking. Don't ask for additional documentation from the applicant. (I don't think I could produce a copy of my transcript without ordering one from the school, and I never saw a yearbook. I suppose I could pull my diploma out of its frame to photocopy it, buy it would irk me.) Just contact the college and verify the degree and date. Totally routine.

[korkus2000]

Why do you think they are deceiving you? You are also doubting that the school will tell you the truth? Schools do this all the time. It sounds like you are starting an employer relationship with mistrust. Not a good thing. Find another candadite that you do trust. It will be better for both you and the potential employee.

[chris_f]

It's a weird situation. Im very tired at the minute and it's too much to go into (sorry!). I'm going to ring the school in the morning. Thanks for you help.

Chris

[Shak]

Quite true, but it is unlikely that one would want an employee who falsely claimed to have an honors diploma.

I say my kinda employee, obviously brave enough to call the employers bluff, rather have him/her on my side than my competitors :)

Shak

[sem4u]

Just ask them for a copy of the certificate.

Mine's framed and on the wall; no-one has ever asked for it before.

[jeremy goodrich]

Framed, hu? Must be a nice degree, then.

Mine went in the trash at some point in the last few years, I couldn't see the reason for keeping it.

Though, if I went to some fancy school that people seem to hold in high regard, of course I'd frame it, put it on the wall, and perhaps get a tattoo with the school logo emblazoned on my forhead. :)

[le_gber]

When I used to work in France, people asked us to bring copies of every diploma we had, copied them and put them in our candidate file.

I guess every country use different tactics.

Leo

[2oddSox]

As you're an employer, just phone a recruitment agency on the premise of possibly wanting to use their services, and casually ask what procedures they have in place to check the applicant's credentials. Then just do those things yourself.

Of course, the downside to that is that they'll probably hound you for life for your business, but that's nothing that a false name and phone number can't rectify ;)

2odd...

[Josk]

Why keep ccertificates...? Well...some large companies in the UK have required me to give them a copy *before* an interview, as well as a valid passport for UK entry/exit/. They've always made me aware of this beforehand, so it wouldn't be too hard to make one, but its quicker and easier just get the real thing out...

[le_gber]

Just a thought that crosses my mind.

Is this pb with an existing employee or a candidate/future employee.

If it's an existing one I believe that their is nothing you could do about it, if he/she lied you can't fire him her on this basis (I think). It was your 'role (sorry the legal word slipped out of my mind) to check beforehand

Anybody who use to listen during their HR courses are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong

Leo

[John_Caius]

Just phone the university and ask for the alumni office - they should have details of all graduates. Which university is it?

[chris_f]

I've rung the Uni. He attended the uni and dropped out after the first year. Hmm... He is no longer working for me.

Thanks to you all
Chris

[2oddSox]

Chris_f,

First you said he was a potential employee, now you say he is no longer working for you.

Maybe we need to do some bona fides on you, huh?

;)

2odd...