Reference Check

Reference Check

I just received a reference request which I must say left me feeling quite appalled. The call came from someone who knows me quite well and so was obviously keen to seek my opinion. The person in question has it on their CV that they worked for my firm for almost 2 years, whereas, they were a temp that barely worked 3 months.

The funny thing about this case is that because this person still keeps in touch with me, when I noticed in 2019 that they still had my firm as their place of work, I gave them feedback and asked them to change it, citing that it was misleading and would work against them if a reference request was made to my firm. As if I knew this would eventually happen in 2021. They obviously didn’t heed my advice and decided it was wiser to misrepresent their work experience. What this person failed to realise is even if other people are lying about their experience, if HR lies then we really are in a bigger mess. HR professionals, as custodians of values, we are judged harsher.

Last month, I bumped into a profile on LinkedIn of another ex-employee that claimed she worked in the firm for over one year whereas she was also a temp. What was even more shocking was in addition to falsely claiming that she worked longer than she did, she made some very bogus claims of achievements that were rather exaggerated; on how she managed a team of 7 and managed $500,000 dollar project. I kept asking myself if it was the same fresh graduate I hired. I don’t remember most temps but I remembered her because she resigned without notice and there was a security breach around her resignation, and because I was out of town at the time, I was called and informed about her.

We use a lot of temps for our annual conference and I have noticed that after their contracts expire most of them continue to use the company in their profile. I honestly do not understand why people think that being dishonest about their experience will help them secure jobs. I guess it does for some and I want to believe it is because most employers do not care enough about doing their due diligence on staff. If you start with a lie, you will continue with it, and it will catch up with you when you least expect. Trust me, it’s not worth the shame and disappointment it will cause.

Just the other day, another ex-staff posted publicly online that he had just finished facilitating a training session and showed a picture of him in the class with my company training slides boldly in use. I was happy for him, at least he is shining at his new job, however, in my eyes, he has lost credibility.

Now, all these people’s reference requests have come in and what am I supposed to say?

I can’t lie. I tell it as it is. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Your thoughts?


Adora speaks, writes and advises on human resources management and enhancing career lives, you can read more from her via her website www.adoraikwuemesi.com

Patience Usip (MBA, FCILRM).

Management Executive| Coach|Performance Tracking| Revenue Generation & Growth| Material &People Mgt.

4 å¹´

It is well! And the truth shall set you free. Don't help God take u there , He can and in due time. U may lie and get the job but how can you lie when it's time to prove your experience. Dear HR Adora Ikwuemesi , I think you must do the right thing. If you also help package them your integrity is their to protect.

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PATRICIA IGBINOBA

Recruitment, Employee Engagement, Performance Management and HR Analytics Expert

4 å¹´

Why is it that we do some certain things and we do not think of the consequences which by the way will surely come. You lie on your cv and u think when u finally get that job they will not do a reference check on u? I believe if u are good at what u do and u tell the HR the way it really is u ll still get the job.

Dr. Omotola Adedapo, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, MILR, ACIPM

#TheTalentBuilder ?? | Head of HR | Board Chair | Top 100 Career Women in Africa 2024 | Top 300 Global HR Leaders 2021 | HR Consultant | Lecturer | Conference Speaker | Certified Coach | Mentor | Trainer | PG Faculty

4 å¹´

Agreed your CV might even be coded. How do you lie with your full chest on a public space like LinkedIn where your present and former bosses can see you. Much less a boss like Adaora, who's very active on the platform. Hian!... E shock me ooo

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Seun Odegbami

Growth & Marketing | Helping Asian traders seamlessly access competitive remittance services across Africa

4 å¹´

Omo see Gbege..They are on their own. I have had my own fair share of hiring some fresh graduates. I have resigned to doing things myself and then signing plenty contracts to aviod story.

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Chima Onwumere, ACIPM, HRPL, CHRP Candidate

HR Business Partner | Recruiter | Talent Acquisition | HR Advisor | Culture Champion | Data Scientist | HRPA Active Member

4 å¹´

Integrity is the key word Adora Ikwuemesi this is deep!!

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