Would you lie and act as a "professional employment reference" for a friend? (job application, applying)
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Yes, I work in Human Resources and know the hiring process very well. I think that many applicants use personal friends and relatives as professional references and do it effectively. The whole reference checking process is almost an after-thought in the recruitment process. Usually the reference check is the last part of the process and the manager wants to hire someone quickly. They are angry the process has dragged on so long and want the new person in the job asap.
When references are called 8 out of 10 times the person does not answer the phone at the first call. A voice mail is left and the game of telephone tag is started. When the people do connect-- it is usually a rushed call and a few standard questions. A well trained friend can easily be a good reference.
Is honesty the best policy, maybe. I think the whole process is so corrupt that the best BS'er usually gets the job.
Dingler, it sounds like you had the answer before you asked us the question. Why bother asking? The best "BS'er" may get the job, but can he keep the job? I doubt it.
I dislike lying so no, I don't think it's a good idea. Even if both his last bosses left, isn't there an HR department or another manager at the companies that could at least verify he worked there, and performed satisfactorily?
I don't see the problem with this. The fact of the matter is that most of us lie on job interviews anyway. For instance, how about the employee who was fired from a job. Will he go and tell any potential new employer that he was fired or will he say he was laid off? Will the person tell a potential employer they are looking for a new position because they want more money? In most cases, NO you wouldn't. This just so happens to be amongst the main reasons people change jobs.
Everyone lies on job interviews on their resumes or whatever to get the job. It's a "game." The best player wins........
I don't see the problem with this. The fact of the matter is that most of us lie on job interviews anyway. For instance, how about the employee who was fired from a job. Will he go and tell any potential new employer that he was fired or will he say he was laid off? Will the person tell a potential employer they are looking for a new position because they want more money? In most cases, NO you wouldn't. This just so happens to be amongst the main reasons people change jobs.
Everyone lies on job interviews on their resumes or whatever to get the job. It's a "game." The best player wins........
Yeah, pretty much. If you read any resume or employment help guide, they pretty much say this without explicitly saying "lie."
That said, there are certainly shades of gray and degrees when it comes to distorting your resume. Hiding or not disclosing certain things are far different than inventing companies and positions you've had, and lying about experience you've don't have.
I personally wouldn't do it, not because I think there is a problem lying to a potential employer but because I'd rather not have to play that game just to get a job. But I've been at the point of frustration where I've certainly considered it.
Yeah, pretty much. If you read any resume or employment help guide, they pretty much say this without explicitly saying "lie."
That said, there are certainly shades of gray and degrees when it comes to distorting your resume. Hiding or not disclosing certain things are far different than inventing companies and positions you've had, and lying about experience you've don't have.
I personally wouldn't do it, not because I think there is a problem lying to a potential employer but because I'd rather not have to play that game just to get a job. But I've been at the point of frustration where I've certainly considered it.
I agree with your opinion about resumes. I wouldn't lie on a resume either. That's not what we're talking about here though. The question posed was should a friend be a professional reference for a friend? I personally don't see it as a problem. If friends can attest to character, etc., why shouldn't the be able to speak for a friend's work ethic and behavior? It's really no different from a friend referring a buddy for a job.
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