Do employers verify your degree?

In today’s competitive job market, having a college degree is often seen as a minimum requirement for many employers. With the rise of online degree programs and the prevalence of diploma mills, employers have become more cautious about verifying the authenticity of a candidate’s degree. This has led to the question – do employers actually verify your degree?

The short answer is yes, employers do verify your degree. In fact, according to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 86% of employers conduct education verifications on potential candidates. This is done to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary qualifications and skills for the job, and to protect the company from potential fraud or misrepresentation.

So, how do employers verify your degree? There are several methods that employers use to verify a candidate’s education credentials:

1. Contacting the educational institution: The most common method of verifying a degree is by contacting the educational institution directly. Employers will reach out to the registrar’s office or the admissions office to confirm the candidate’s enrollment, graduation date, and degree earned. This method is considered the most reliable as it provides direct and official information from the institution.

2. Requesting official transcripts: Employers may also request official transcripts from the candidate. These transcripts are official documents issued by the educational institution that provide a detailed record of the courses taken, grades earned, and degree conferred. This method is also considered reliable as it comes directly from the institution.

3. Using a third-party verification service: Some employers may choose to use a third-party verification service to verify a candidate’s degree. These services specialize in verifying education credentials and have access to databases and records from various educational institutions. This method may be used if the candidate’s educational institution is no longer in operation or if the employer wants a quicker turnaround time.

4. Social media and online research: With the rise of social media, some employers may also conduct online research to verify a candidate’s degree. This can include checking the candidate’s LinkedIn profile, online portfolios, or any other online presence that may provide information about their education. While this method may not be as reliable as the others, it can still provide some insight into a candidate’s educational background.

It is important to note that employers may also verify other aspects of a candidate’s education, such as their GPA, major, and any honors or awards received. This is done to ensure that the candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge for the job and to verify the accuracy of their resume.

So, why do employers go through the trouble of verifying a candidate’s degree? As mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons is to protect the company from potential fraud or misrepresentation. In some cases, candidates may falsely claim to have a degree or may have obtained a degree from a diploma mill. This can be damaging to a company’s reputation and can also lead to legal issues.

Additionally, verifying a candidate’s degree can also help employers make informed hiring decisions. By confirming a candidate’s education credentials, employers can ensure that they are hiring someone who has the necessary qualifications and skills for the job. This can also help in identifying any discrepancies or red flags in a candidate’s background.

In conclusion, employers do verify your degree, and it is becoming a standard practice in the hiring process. It is important for candidates to be honest and transparent about their education credentials and to provide accurate information on their resume. Any misrepresentation or falsification of education credentials can have serious consequences and can harm a candidate’s chances of getting hired.