Univ. degree

[jw01]

How's it going everyone?

Just curious to know, how do firms or companies verify that someone has graduated with a certain degree from a university? Do they call and check in each time someone gives in a resume with a specified degree and univ. name? Or is there another process? Hope you guys follow what I mean...

If not, like lets say Mike here, says he graduated from UTF with a Commerce degree. If he applies for a job in the states or even in Canada, where the requirement is a Commerce graduate, how would the company either in Canada or US verify he has graduated? Do they take his word, or do they have random checks or is there an offical posting by univs. of the graduates? Anyways, just curious to know how that process works. Let me know guys.

Take it easy!

 

[PHNINE]

IN my experience, it depends on the position. I mean if it is for a junior spot or assistant spot then sometimes the verification call can be bypassed. However, if it is for a slighty more important spot or one that has more responsibility then I think the verification is mandatory. This also depends on the company as well. If it is a small private company, they probably don't have the time or resources to go out of their way to check up on these minor facts. However if it is a large company with a designated human resources department or what not then you can expect all the facts on your resume to be checked out. Good luck either way if you lie or not.

 

[High_Roller]

In my experience, it seems to me that companies aren't too strict in checking your background. I have never been asked for my transcript or contact information for my university. The exception is if you are applying for a sensitive position (i.e. with the CIA or FBI). Then they WILL go through your ENTIRE life with a fine tooth comb.

I think the company mainly judges you based on the interview and whatever references you provide. If you seem to know what you're talking about during the interview, that gives them a warm fuzzy about your resume. You're hired and then you start working. If you can do the job, great. If you can't, then they'll figure it out. They can fire you whenever they want.

However, this does NOT mean you should try and get a job with falsified credentials. If they ever find out that you made GROSS claims on your resume, getting fired will be the least of your problems, after getting sued and possibly prosecuted.

 

[skypilot]

Alot of the smaller companies use third party companies to do the checking. One place I workrd for would fax the resume to this other company who would check the facts. I remember one girl being fired because she said she had a BA where in reality she was about four credit hours short and never graduated.

 

[frankcastle]

In some instances I've been asked to provide an official transcript from said university. As the employee it was my responsibility to pay for a transcript to be mailed in a sealed envelope with the universities official stamp on it directly to the employer.

How does an employer check other than that. I mean not anyone can just request a transcript for someone else.

 

[PHNINE]

You call the university as an employer asking for information or if they had graduated, not neccessarily a transcipt.

 

[frankcastle]

Does it cost anything for that info?

 

[PHNINE]

I don't think so. I could be wrong.

 

[monkeychan]

Many universities, however, will not divulge your transcript unless you sign a release form for the company you apply to to check your background. At least several UK and AU universities that I know of are like that.

Once a company wanted to do a background check on me and they called my almamater in the UK and they ended up getting faxed a letter that I need to sign and delivered back to them (not faxed back) before they fax a copy of the transcript to said company.

 

[Damondean]

Vanessa is right. It is increasingly hard to fire people (except for downsizing or plant closings) and thus companies take great pains not to make mistakes in hiring.

I have been asked for copies of transcripts, even a copy of the degree. And they do check references and past employment.

If they find out later that you lied, it can be grounds for dismissal.

 

[JohnC]

Vanessa is right. It is increasingly hard to fire people (except for downsizing or plant closings) and thus companies take great pains not to make mistakes in hiring.

I have been asked for copies of transcripts, even a copy of the degree. And they do check references and past employment.

If they find out later that you lied, it can be grounds for dismissal.

Absolutely correct. had to let a guy go a few years ago because he misrepresented his qualifications, and amazingly HR supported me!! After 2 weeks it was glaringly obvious he knew nothing.

 

[3isBest]

Don't be fooled by the information or (mis)information you are receiving here. Most companies, mid to large, will check you out thoroughly.

Heed this good advise...if you lie, you will get caught and get fired

http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/afx/2006/02/20/afx2539792.html

 

[rama putri]

The company would ask for an official transcript from the university. They forward that transcript to a 3rd party verification company that certifies the degree as valid and as equivalent to a US based degree.

 

[fuji]

Any university will confirm over the telephone whether or not a degree has been awarded without requiring any signature from the applicant. The caller may need to supply the applicants full name, the specific degree, and the year, in order to get a confirmation just because that's how the university computer system will be set up. They may be able to do it with less information but it's a hassle for them.

No university will actually let you see the applicants grades or enrollment history or any other such information without prior written consent from the applicant.

So, just getting a confirmation of graduation can be done over the phone but any more than that requires the applicant's consent in writing.

 

[goodtime]

Don't be fooled by the information or (mis)information you are receiving here. Most companies, mid to large, will check you out thoroughly. They hire third-parties or have in-house HR people, to verify everything from your education, through to your licensing abstract and criminal record.

It really depend on the HR person & how high the position. Radio Shack CEO recently resigned over 'misrepresentation'.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-02-20-radioshack-ceo_x.htm

I know HR people in banks & healthcare field, like everybody else, stories of people cut corners when busy, they 'spot check'. If they hire via head-hunters, they rely on head-hunter to verify. I worked with someone who 'misrepresented' his past qualification, it was obvious the company didn't check his past.

In position of trust, they may ask you to sign authorize release of personal info or RCMP background check.

Good luck.

 

[LLL]

Many universities, however, will not divulge your transcript unless you sign a release form for the company you apply to to check your background. At least several UK and AU universities that I know of are like that.

Once a company wanted to do a background check on me and they called my almamater in the UK and they ended up getting faxed a letter that I need to sign and delivered back to them (not faxed back) before they fax a copy of the transcript to said company.

My expertise is in this area as far as US education is concerned. A company may call, typically, the Registrar's Office and have a degree and date verified normally without neededing specific permission. However, if a student has requested that no information be released, by US Law the college may not even divulge or confirm attendance. So a telephone confirmation isn't always 100%, but close enough

Transcripts always require written permission of the student/graduate to be released unless lawfully subpeonaed.

Any company that requests only a copy of the diploma/degree as "proof" is is a bit naive. Diplomas can easily be fraudulently obtained and really are only ceremonial documents. I recently had to break the news to a company that the copy of the "diploma" sent for verification was no where close to a real one and not even a good forgery.

Always go for a transcript mailed directly from the institution with the degree posted on it.

 

[funkygroove]

I didn't read the other comments but if you're applying to a large company, like Microsoft, you'll have to spend an entire day being interviewed by atleast 5 people from different departments. And in the case that you're hired, you'll have to fill out a few forms, hand in documents, degrees, letter from school etc, so there's no way you can b.s your way in. These large companies know they're fake documents being passed around, and aren't blind.

 

[goodtime]

However, if a student has requested that no information be released, by US Law the college may not even divulge or confirm attendance. So a telephone confirmation isn't always 100%, but close enough

Some companies are taking same approach when ask about your past employment history. The only thing they can confirm/denied is whether you work(ed) there. As there's cases in U.S., new employer sue previous employer for misrepresenting 'bad' employee.

 

[RTRD]

There is different degrees...

...pun intended....of good and bad information in this thread, but the bottomline is correct - don't lie about the facts when it comes to your background.

Title / Compensation / Dates of Employment / Degree Type and Source can all be easily verified.

On the otherhand, what you actually did cannot. So, if you must fudge, that is the area to do it. But be careful not to set yourself up for a job you cannot do.

 

[juanbrujo]

Don't complicate yourself. There is only one thing to keep in mind:

Do not lie!