How can fraud in hiring assessments be prevented?
Remote hiring has become a popular practice for recruiting candidates ever since the pandemic enforced lockdowns and social distancing norms. It has opened doors to the global market for recruiters and candidates.
Candidates preferred this mode of recruitment because they could go through the hiring process conveniently without the need to travel. Besides, they would be more at ease in a location of their comfort than in a formal setting.
Recruiters also found the method convenient because they could hire the best talent from any geographic location using fewer resources.
The online recruitment process entails:
Shortlisting potential candidates from a large list of those who have applied for the position based on their qualifications, skill sets, and experience.
Putting the shortlisted candidates through online hiring assessments to gauge their proficiency.
Based on their performance in the online assessments, qualifying candidates appear for an online interview.
The final selection is made based on their performance in the tests and interviews.
At a glance, the entire process looks simple and foolproof. However, reality is far from this!
There has been a steep increase in fraudulent candidates. “LinkedIn estimates that nearly 15-20% of candidates are dishonest in the way they present themselves.” Data also indicates a 92% increase in candidate fraud since the onset of the pandemic. Such fraud in hiring assessments can cost a company dearly in terms of time, money, and resources. A bad hiring decision can cost the organisation 30% of the employee’s first-year salary.
What is fraud in hiring assessment?
Fraud in hiring includes any type of false information or cheating in hiring assessments. Frauds may be committed in different ways.
Some examples are:
- Inflated resumes where the candidates make claims regarding their experience, job titles, etc., that may be false.
- Fabricating certifications.
- If the job role requires the candidate to work remotely, candidates misrepresent themselves in video interviews to get a desired job.
- Data shows that 21% of candidates cheat in a controlled testing environment.
- There are instances of impersonation where someone else appears for the online assessment in place of the candidate.
Candidates may also cheat in the following ways to get the desired job:
- Someone else shows up for joining instead of the candidate who applied and is hired.
- During a virtual interview, a candidate may lip-sync the answers provided by someone else or refer to a cheat sheet that is concealed from the camera.
- In a written assessment, a candidate may copy and paste from online sources.
- Another individual takes the test/interview through a remote keyboard and monitor.
- There have been several instances where candidates have been coached over phone calls to answer interview questions.
Fraudulent hires can tarnish the reputation of a business with severe repercussions. The organisation will find it difficult to attract quality candidates, and may also find it difficult to retain existing candidates. There are several instances where individuals commit fraud to be employed so that they can access the confidential data of the organisation. Hence, businesses need to prioritise fraud prevention in hiring and develop secure hiring strategies.
What are the ways to prevent fraud in hiring assessments?
- Scrutinise the applications: There are some tell-tale signs that may indicate a fraudulent candidate.
Some of them are:
a. The resume includes too many unrelated skills that are in demand.
b. The candidate may not provide a permanent address in the resume.
c. Make sure all the dates relevant to graduation, employment dates in previous jobs, job titles, etc., are
consistent. Any anomaly is a red flag.
d. It is a good idea to match the details in the resume with the candidate’s social profiles.
- Background checks: Recruiters must conduct a thorough background check to verify details such as educational qualifications, employment history, criminal history, and more. Many organisations hire professionals for conducting background checks.
- Verify recommendations: It is a good idea to cross-check the credibility of the candidate with the references provided.
- Document verification: Checking all the documents such as resumes and transcripts in detail helps identify discrepancies.
- Follow up a skill-based assessment with a skill-based interview: Following a skill-based test with a skill-based interview reduces the chances of fraud. This is because the interviewer can ask questions based on the skill test. If there has been any impersonation, the candidate will be exposed.
- Anti-cheating assessment strategies: Strategies like disabling copy and paste or setting a time limit for answering the test can minimise assessment fraud.
- Don’t allow headphones/earbuds: You can prevent the instance of a candidate being provided answers by someone else during a virtual interview by asking the candidates not to use headphones or earbuds.
- Outsourcing: Engaging the services of a recruitment agency helps minimise hiring fraud because they are well-experienced in the field and have integrated security measures in the hiring process.
- Fraud-proof assessment tools: The most effective method to prevent online hiring fraud is by leveraging AI-based assessment software. A hiring platform overcomes all the shortcomings of manual hiring methods and reduces online fraud.
Why use a hiring platform?
A hiring platform manages functions like finding and attracting candidates, screening resumes, conducting assessments, sending offer letters, onboarding, and more. It helps businesses optimise their hiring processes.
Recruitment software uses cloud technology that enables users to connect with their smartphones from any location. It takes over all the repetitive tasks, enhances the speed, and reduces errors. Automated hiring also eliminates biases in the hiring process.
Recruitment software includes several tools like ATS, CMS, etc. The software receives applications from multiple sources. It captures vital candidate data from the applications. It also provides several insights such as candidate response, how many people viewed your advertisement, and more data points.
How do hiring platforms prevent fraud in hiring assessments?
AI-based recruiting software can detect different types of fraudulent attempts in hiring assessments. AI algorithms interpret various data points like facial expressions, body language, gestures, voice, and more. They provide vital insights to the recruitment professionals which help them make informed decisions.
Types of frauds AI can detect:
Impersonation: AI bots leverage facial recognition and ID verification technologies to detect if someone else is taking the online assessment.
Cheating: Recruiting platforms can prevent instances of cheating in an online assessment. The AI-based software monitors the activities of the candidate taking the test. It can detect spurious activities like copying and pasting data, accessing prohibited sites, and using unauthorised devices during the assessment.
Identify plagiarised content: The AI algorithms analyse the text in the answers provided. It compares the text with known data sources to identify plagiarised content.
Any external help sought: One of the common online hiring assessment frauds is when the test taker collaborates with someone else. The other individual helps the test taker in answering the questions. AI bots can identify such situations by monitoring the external environment of the test taker. They pick up cues such as background noise, and screen activity to identify such frauds.
Identify multiple attempts: A test taker is expected to clear the test in a single attempt or a specified number of attempts. However, candidates may take multiple attempts to pass the test. The recruiting software identifies the IP address, location, etc., to detect anomalies.
There are a myriad of hiring platforms available. However, it is imperative that you vet the tool carefully by comparing it with others before investing in one.
One of the leading names in the arena of recruiting software is HirePro!
HirePro is an AI-based recruitment platform that includes several features that make it well-suited for different types of recruitment functions. It automates processes like application tracking, online assessments, virtual interviews, virtual onboarding, and more. The platform can be customised according to your sourcing needs.
HirePro is a flexible platform that integrates seamlessly with most applications. It streamlines data flow to provide relevant information. It is an end-to-end functional assessment platform that prevents hiring fraud and saves organisational resources. It also helps brands enhance candidate experience by offering customised responses according to their needs.
Conclusion
As businesses opt for online methods of recruitment, they become vulnerable to different types of fraudulent activities. Fraud in the hiring process can impact a business’ reputation and also waste its resources. Therefore, foolproofing the hiring process is a must. AI-powered recruiting platforms are highly effective in preventing hiring fraud. Bots monitor the assessment process and identify inconsistencies. Hiring platforms like HirePro facilitate a cost-effective and secure hiring option that saves time and money.
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