Resume Fraud Featured on New Podcast

Author: David B. Weisenfeld, XpertHR Legal Editor

May 28, 2014

A new XpertHR podcast takes an in-depth look at topical examples of resume fraud and how the affected employers handled them with Lisa Rangel, a former executive recruiter who now runs her own New Jersey-based executive resume-writing and job search firm, Chameleon Resumes. Rangel also discusses best practices for HR upon getting confirmation that something in a resume is false.

The University of South Florida's recent decision to rescind a five-year contract offer to Manhattan College men's basketball coach Steve Masiello after a background check revealed he had never graduated from college is only the latest high-profile example of resume fraud.

Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson was forced to step down in 2012 because his resume stated that he had graduated with a computer science degree when, in fact, he had majored in accounting. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) fired its admissions director, Marilee Jones, after news broke that she did not have any of the three degrees stated in her credentials.

Speaking of these examples generally, Rangel said, "The lie is a bigger issue than not having the degree, even when it's required. That's usually... the blemish that people cannot get past."

Rangel also discusses whether employers ever inadvertently encourage resume fraud by overemphasizing certain qualifications that might not be relevant to the job. She notes that, for certain positions, there is no room for leeway when it comes to misstatements.

"If it's a finance position and it's a lie regarding a financial issue, then obviously that's not acceptable," said Rangel. The MIT admissions director is another clear example of zero tolerance. But Rangel is quick to add that in other instances it may depend on the situation, the extent of the falsehood, and how quickly the applicant owns the mistake.

"Clearly the truth should never be compromised, but situations should be evaluated," she said. For instance, Rangel notes that Masiello's current employer, Manhattan College, took him back (contingent on his completion of his college degree) despite both his resume discrepancy and his seeking another head coaching job elsewhere. The fact that Masiello had been a successful coach certainly aided in his retention.

Meanwhile, the Yahoo CEO's transgression may have been deemed less significant for a different, less visible position. However, according to Rangel, the fact that Thompson mentioned a nonexistent computer science degree and was leading a company based in Silicon Valley made it more difficult for Yahoo to accept because it could affect the standing of the entire organization within the technology community. Rangel concluded by saying, "In that type of situation, being the best and the brightest computer scientist who is the CEO attracts talent."