Liar, liar resume on fire
By John Burke • Bankrate.com

Some are born with academic prowess, some achieve it and some just lie about it on their resumes.

The number of executive liars, however, is on the decline, according to the latest edition of the Liars Index, a semiannual survey compiled by Jude M. Werra & Associates, a Wisconsin-based executive search firm.

Data from the first half of 2002 show that the 11.19 percent of people fibbing about their academic credentials on their resumes is on the decline compared to the findings from the second half of 2001. Back in 2000 and the first six months of 2001 saw the index shoot above 20 percent.

In fact, the latest numbers represent the second-lowest prevarication rate since 1995, when the Liars Index began tracking resume enhancers. The last time executive job applicants were so honest was in 1998.

Reaction to corporate miscreants
"Over the last several months the national press has given considerable attention to academic misrepresentations by prominent figures in politics, athletics and executive roles," said Jude M. Werra, president of the firm.

"We are tempted to speculate whether that notoriety may have encouraged some people to refrain from puffing their academic credentials."

Education is one of the few credentials that's easily confirmed. In most cases, all it takes is a phone call or fax to a college or university. Do you verify the credentials of your job applicants? Have you ever discovered an applicant or staff member who lied on a resume?

-- Posted: Oct. 4, 2002