There’s something unfolding in the recruitment industry that every job seeker ought to know about. Specifically, The Weekend West reported on the 23 April, 39 Australian universities signed up to a project last month to build a national digital database of academic records. Read the original story here by the Financial Review: Universities database to crack down on credential fraud in job applications
Now, if you’re like a lot of job seekers, then you’re probably thinking about this news in terms of how recruiters and employers are just making it harder to get a job. Some people even say it’s an invasion of privacy.
So let me share with you now the top five ways this news impacts you…
#1 you won’t be able to fabricate your academic achievements so easily
From about 2017 onwards. Employers will be able to access the new national database once it’s released to validate and verify your academic records.
#2 you may have to ensure your academic information listed on your resume is accurate and factual.
This would include graduation year, university name, degree name, majors etc. In addition, I’m unclear at this point how information would be recorded or displayed to an employer if you are part way through your studies. We will know more once the database is released.
#3 you’ll be required to give your consent to the search being conducted.
Just like a police clearance, an employer wouldn’t be able to simply access this information without your consent.
#4 you may find it more difficult to get a job if you have incorrectly listed your qualifications on your resume in the past.
Once the new database is released it may be much harder for you to obtain a position or be eligible for re-hire if you have falsified or fudged details about your credentials on your resume.
#5 Those who genuinely earned their degrees, certificates and awards will be more confident their credentials are able to be verified globally.
It should be you no longer have to scan and upload all your qualifications and certificates for employers and it will expose those who are less than honest.
I want to point out that the above five points aren’t just my opinion, nor is this type of technology new. The mining and resources industry already has a SaaS platform which is not only an Applicant Tracking System it also has verification technology built in.
Many who work in the mining and resource industry will either know of this platform or have been stung when trying to apply for a new position. Not only does it verify your licences, certificates and qualifications automatically, it also verifies every position you have ever worked including company name and exact dates of employment.
Verification Technology
In the article by The Weekend West, Rod Sherwood, director and chief financial officer of CV Check stated: “a high proportion of CVs contained some information that was untrue, ranging from a simple stretching of the truth to information that was deliberately deceitful or even fraudulent”.
Further, he said that “even white lies should be avoided, because they call a person’s basic honesty into question”.
There is a workaround, though. If you’re applying for positions, all you have to do is ensure your information is accurate in order to avoid any embarrassment during your job search. As an extra precaution, you might also have your own pre-employment screening done to show potential employers your information is verified.
Fortunately, most job seekers will view this as good news. That’s because Australia will join other leading countries including US, China, India, the UK, Canada and New Zealand who already have digital student database in operation. Chances are, the only ones who aren’t going to like this new national digital database of academic records are the ones who’re dishonest.
Bottom line?
The new national database of academic records which is anticipated to be released in 2017 will give job seekers the confidence that an employer can verify their records without having to scan and upload all your qualifications and certificates for employers. Just remember, to ensure your qualifications are represented accurately on your resume moving forward.
