(Repost) Will the real candidate please stand up?

In most hiring scenarios, the recruiter retains the power, already having the insight, experience, and technology needed to facilitate the process. But what about that person at the other end? Surely as technology evolves so do the candidates.

Case in point, during a recent conversation, a friend confided in me that they were using a popular “freelance services marketplace” to look for a new job. My jaw agape, I asked what the Sam Hill they meant. The friend continued, though gainfully employed, they hated their current role at a company that blocked most of the internet, making it incredibly difficult for employees to find something new. So rather than spend all of their free time lost somewhere in an ATS, this friend outsourced their search. For the low, low price of 50 dollars, a freelancer would look for 30 openings based on my friend’s interests and qualifications, provide a list for their review and then, apply to the winning selections on their behalf using their resume and an easily customizable cover letter.

Now, given that technology works both ways, I’m not sure why I was surprised. Our exchange prompted so many questions, some that I’ll answer later. First, let’s admit that candidates gaming parts of the process are nothing new. Resumes get inflated, interview questions evaded. Nearly 85 percent of employers report finding a lie or misrepresentation on a resume or a job app – up from 66 percent in 2012. Sometimes, it’s easy to tell if a candidate is lying, sometimes it’s not, but typically, that conversation comes further on down the road around the interview or assessment phase.

This article originally appeared on Recruiting Daily. To continue reading, visit: https://recruitingdaily.com/will-the-real-candidate-please-stand-up/.