It’s quite possible that there are blacklisted names in a database, Joyce. As technology develops, there’s a lot more private information available on the internet and it’s a good idea to set up a Google Alert for one’s name to monitor our reputation. We had a situation with driving licenses a few years back in India where the person sitting the written exam and the one doing the actual driving test were different. The Transport and Traffic Ministry did a crack down and has now made it near impossible to ‘beat the system’. Controls and checks are created as required and its better to stay honest – even for a job.

I remember that story, Suzie. Wayne Dyer had the intention to make up for the skill he lacked at the time and it was a different era. I’ve heard of stories where people have risen up the corporate ladder and then fallen badly for an educational fib. One case involved a guy who had lied about an MBA and he still got the sack despite his having been a top performer. It’s there in the links included in the post. What a fall!

Honesty is the best policy, Kathleen. In today’s day and age of technology, one needs to protect information even more. That’s why I advise clients not to post potentially damaging content on their Facebook Walls or have 2 separate ones in case a headhunter wants to befriend you and see what you are upto. That profile needs to be squeaky clean and professional. The other one needs to be kept private.

That was really a big risk, Marquita, and I’m glad your boss took it as an indicator of your determination and of course you backed it up with great work thus minimizing the shorthand skill. Sadly, many of the skills, like computer coding can’t be fudged if they are key to the job requirement. Times have changed from when we were in the corporate world and as you rightly point out, I know you wouldn’t do it again. 🙂

You’re welcome, Sue!

A stitch in time saves nine, Reba. Small business owners don’t have the resources to do their own due diligence which is where checking references helps or hiring a good agency to do the first cut saves time and money in the long run.