How to Identify Fake Job Candidates in IT Recruitment
With the race for tech jobs hotter than ever, securing the right person for an open technical role demands a thoughtful evaluation of both soft skills and industry credentials. As competition intensifies, some applicants may stretch the truth – or outright fabricate qualifications – in a bid to get ahead of other candidates.
At the same time, the advancement of tech and subsequent emergence of deepfakes and AI has only made it more challenging to distinguish genuine professionals from imposters. With that in mind, here are some ways to protect your hiring process and spot fake candidates before they make it onto your shortlist.
Is This a Fake LinkedIn Profile?
LinkedIn remains a top resource for reviewing a candidate’s background, from work experience to education and skill endorsements. However, because the platform is so widely used, it is also a common site for embellished profiles. Always approach candidate profiles with a critical eye and verify the details they present.
Red Flags for Fake LinkedIn Profiles
- Sparse Details: Authentic profiles typically include thorough job descriptions, concise timelines, and clear responsibilities. In contrast, fake profiles can seem vague and lack specifics.
- Strange Connections: Scan their professional network. Are they missing ties to former employers, educational institutions, or industry peers? That’s worth investigating.
- Questionable Prior Roles: Especially in technical sectors, be wary of sketchy or unverifiable experience, like stints with untraceable web startups or obscure blockchain projects. Due diligence is key here.
How to Spot Fake Qualifications
Background Checks
A comprehensive background check should be standard protocol for any IT position you’re hiring for. This includes verifying identity, academic history, previous employment, and any certifications that the candidate claims to have completed. The more senior or sensitive a role, the more vital these checks become in screening out individuals who aren’t up to the task.
Even if your HR team is busy, there are specialized tools and services available for thorough reference verification.
Is the Resume Plagiarized?
If several resumes begin to look eerily familiar, it’s likely no coincidence – some applicants simply copy content directly from publicly available templates or online sources. Fortunately, basic plagiarism detection tools can help you flag and weed out these copy-and-paste submissions, ensuring that only original applications get your attention.
Fake Candidates & Video Interviews
Historically, an unwillingness to participate in a video interview was a clear warning sign. However, as remote hiring grows and technology evolves, fakes are finding more ways to slip through the cracks undetected.
While video interviews remain a powerful tool for assessing communication skills, professionalism, and technical aptitude, hiring managers need to be alert to several forms of potential deception that may only come to light during these virtual meetings.
Here are some common tricks to keep an eye out for:
- Refusal to Join on Video: Reluctance to appear on camera can indicate someone is hiding their true experience or identity.
- Off-Screen Assistance: In some cases, another person could be off-camera, supplying answers during technical questioning.
- Stand-in Candidates: Beware of people hiring others to step into interviews for them, particularly when skills assessments are involved.
How to Identify a Deepfake
Deepfake technology uses AI to create hyper-realistic impersonations, which can make it difficult to verify someone’s identity over video. To outsmart a digital imposter, watch for:
- Unnatural mouth movements, especially during rapid speech
- Inconsistent lighting or facial contours
- Odd-looking fingers or facial features
- Pixelation or strange transitions around the neck and collar area
- Unusual distortions if the head moves suddenly or unnaturally
Reducing the Risk of Cheating
Even after verifying someone’s presence on camera, you’ll need to analyze and confirm their technical abilities. Certain software solutions can monitor for IP inconsistencies, mandate a webcam connection, and block code-pasting during live assessments. Alternatively, asking candidates to share their screen throughout the interview can increase transparency and hinder dishonest tactics.
While these methods may seem intensive, they can be crucial in safeguarding your recruitment process in the digital age.
Sourcing Top IT Talent, the Right Way
Hiring for IT roles is complex, and juggling sourcing, vetting, and interviews can easily become overwhelming. By using these techniques to spot imposters early, you can focus your attention on the best candidates for your team. If you’re having a hard time managing the recruitment process on your own, consider working with an experienced recruiting partner who understands the nuances of today’s digital hiring landscape.
Ready to elevate your IT recruitment? Click here to learn more.