Honesty is the best policy...

Last week I was reminded of a very valuable lesson - honesty is the best policy!
 
I won't name any names but a very experienced candidate, a qualified accountant called me with a dilemma. He had been for an interview via another agency and as a result had been offered the position. The role was paying good money, well suited to his skill set and right on his door step. Where's the dilemma I hear you ask?

The candidate felt compromised. At the interview he had been asked questions about the details on his CV. It was at this stage that the candidate discovered that the agency had in fact lied on his CV and deliberately fabricated duties to make his resume stand out. Understandably, this caused the candidate to question the integrity of the agency. Having worked in recruitment for over six years I can say that I have witnessed administrative errors and oversights on CVs that have caused embarrassment. However, the candidate confirmed that the added details could not have been simple errors, especially as he was prompted to remember when the agency had done the same to another senior contractor he knew.

Firstly, I think it insults both the candidate and the client to think that this will not come out at interview stage - in case it will certainly come out when the candidate starts the role. Are they simply hoping that by then it will be too late and the client will carry on with the placement?!

In this particular situation the candidate I think took a very brave stance and declined the role through the agency in protest against the agency's business ethics. In a climate where jobs can not easily be walked away from, I for one respect the candidate's bold decision.
 
The agency's actions bemused me in truth. They had got the job on and they had a great candidate. They had simply shot themselves in the foot by feeling the need to lie on his CV.
 
I have been recruiting for over six years now and I feel that one of the main reasons that my clients and candidates come back to me time and time again is not because I am an amazing saleswoman but because I am honest. I simply listen to my clients and candidates requirements and then work extremely hard to find the best possible solutions for both.