Desperate times often call for desperate measures–and in a brutal employment market, some job seekers may be tempted to falsify their work or education history in order to make themselves more attractive to potential employers. HireRight.com, a provider of on-demand employment background screening, recently announced its finding that 34 percent of job applicants lie on resumes. And when Yahoo! HotJobs recently asked people whether they’d ever lied in a job interview, 41 percent said yes.
But job seekers who stretch the truth are playing an ever riskier game, according to Dennis Nason, CEO of the recruiting firm Nason & Nason. “Background checks are much easier now,” he says. “It’s all pretty open on the Internet.” And many companies and recruiters now employ background-check providers who specialize in sniffing out untruths.

The gray area between fact and fiction
Almost all career experts advise job seekers to customize their resumes to individual jobs they apply for. So where’s the line between self-promotion and falsehood? Some experts say it can be hard to define. Tim McIntyre, president and CEO of The Executive Search Group explains, “The dictionary says that ‘embellish’ means ‘to make beautiful,’ which is when a candidate is great at self-promotion. The difference between that and a damaging lie varies by industry and profession.”

For instance, financial executives are subject to more-intense scrutiny than many people going into entry-level positions that don’t involve money.

But at any point in your career, stretching the truth is risky–especially on official job applications. Brad Karsh, president and founder of JobBound, doesn’t see a gray area at all: “Any uncovered fib is liable to severely damage your reputation in the workplace.”

Just the facts
According to Forbes.com, some of the most common resume lies are about education, employment dates, job titles, and technical skills. And these are the same resume areas that, if you fudge them, can cause problems–the Internet has made it much easier to verify a person’s claims about education, for instance.

And Nason notes that firms like his are sleuthing far beyond a candidate’s given references to corroborate his or her claims–for instance, finding and contacting the candidate’s former colleagues via LinkedIn.

Career expert Liz Ryan says, “People think that they can make up and embellish details about companies that have been sold or gone out of business. But LinkedIn, Facebook, and our wide-ranging networks will put a quick stop to most efforts to change history in our favor.”

Truth or consequences
And even if false credentials get you the job, those untruths may come back to haunt you.

“You’re subject to immediate dismissal if it turns out you misrepresented something,” says Nason.

If your company is acquired, for instance, the acquirer’s HR department may perform an audit of its new employees. Or your background may be checked when you apply for a promotion. Former Notre Dame football coach George O’Leary and celebrity chef Robert Irvine are just two of the people who’ve made news in recent years when false background information cost them high-profile jobs.

Keeping it real
Career experts have practical advice on how to truthfully deal with some of the problems that may cause people to lie–follow it, and you’ll be able to sleep more easily at night.

1. Gaps of unemployment: Just because you weren’t getting paid for something doesn’t mean you weren’t being productive and gaining skills. If you volunteered or worked on your own projects, say, you should speak to those things on your resume, in a cover letter, or in an interview.

2. Misrepresentative titles: “Job seekers need to lay claim to projects and results that may not have been in their formal job descriptions,” says Ryan. “Here’s an example. An office manager I know took on HR in her company after the HR coordinator left. The office manager’s title was never changed, but she took on responsibility for payroll, benefits, and so on. She put all of that on her resume, and changed her title to ‘Office Manager (with HR responsibilities).’ That’s a perfectly good way for her to brand herself, because she hasn’t changed the title to something her old employer wouldn’t recognize or support.”

3. Past salaries: Ryan also has advice on how to deal with discussing a past salary you feel was too low–she notes that you should arm yourself with information about the salary you should be earning. For more on handling salary-history questions, see Ryan’s column “Passing the ‘Salary History’ Test.”

4. Skills: If you’re tempted to lie about having a technical skill, for instance, the right thing to do is clear: gain that skill by enrolling in a class (or committing to learning it on your own). Then you’ll be able to truthfully explain to potential employers that you’re working on getting up-to-speed in that area.

Wishing you all the best in 2011.  Enjoy your holiday’s!!!! 

From WinStaffing to you!

Six Ways to Stay Positive During Your Job Search
By Jon Gordon, author “Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else”

Some mornings, it’s tough to even get out of bed. As you scour the skimpy classifieds and job boards, grim scenarios play in your head on a repeating loop: “We’ll lose the house” … “We’ll have to move in with my parents” … “I’ll never find work in this economy.” You also wonder, “Are things really as hopeless as they seem? And if they’re not, how can I clear away the dark clouds and see the light on the other side?”

I have been where you are right now, and I have some good news: The layoff you think is bad today will actually lead to great events in the future with the right approach and action plan.

It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t allow yourself to get down. Rather, it’s all about implementing the strategies that will help you focus, make changes and turn things around.

Getting fired
During the dot-com crash, I lost my job. I was two months away from being bankrupt. I had a mortgage, two kids, no insurance and very little savings. I was a paycheck away from losing it all. I thought it was the worst event of my life. But one day I decided that I wasn’t going to let this challenge take me down; that’s when I knew I had to change what I was thinking and doing.

I saw that what I was viewing as so terrible didn’t have to be that way. It was what I chose to make of it. So I made some decisions that changed everything and led me to do the work I do now as a writer, consultant and speaker. I often joke that I went from fired to fired up. My layoff led to my life’s mission and purpose.

The moral of my story is that what you think is a terrible event can actually be a good thing. There is a myth that most people embark on a quest to find their destiny. But more often than not, through adversity and challenges, our destiny finds us. It is during these times that we ask the important questions and make decisions that change the course of our life.

If depression, anger and fear are your motivating factors during your layoff, you will be making a tough journey even tougher for yourself and your family. Worse, you’ll hinder your own progress. Negative beliefs lead to negative actions, making bad choices and shutting out friends and family. Fortunately, the opposite is also true. Positive beliefs lead to positive actions.

Getting fired up
You may not find the positive energy switch right away. But keep looking and you will find it. Here are a few life-changing tips that can help you change your outlook and go from fired to fired up:

1. Jettison your anger
Allow yourself to be angry, sad, bitter and upset for a few days and then let it go. Release the bitterness. Recognize that you can’t create your future by focusing on the past. After I was laid off, I made a conscious decision to forgive my company for letting me go and for giving me only two weeks of severance pay.

Making the decision to let that bitterness go helped me to think more clearly and have more energy to take positive action. Recently I spoke with a gentleman who told me that he wished he had made the same decision after losing his job. He said that it took him a year to finally move on and that his negative energy caused him to waste a lot of valuable time.

2. Say to yourself, “I have a dream” — then start working to achieve it
Having studied many successful people, I’ve found that they all can pinpoint the moment when they decided what they truly wanted to achieve in life. It’s a practice that should be required for all of us. After all, if you know what you truly want out of life, then you will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Obvious as this may sound, many people never take the time to discover what they want.

When I lost my job, I realized that though I was initially sad to lose it, I hadn’t been truly happy. I asked myself what I truly wanted to do with my life. “What was I born to do?” I asked. “Why am I here?” I realized I could open a franchise restaurant, which I hoped would allow me time to write. And off I went toward achieving my dream.

3. Choose to have faith in what you want, rather than what you don’t want
Solve this riddle: What do fear and faith have in common? The answer: a future that hasn’t happened yet. So why would you choose to paint that future bleak and empty, when you could paint it vibrant and fulfilling and fun?

Fear believes in a negative future while faith believes in a positive future. Even if you’re not a spiritual person, why would you choose to believe the worst is going to happen? It just feels better to look to the positive future.

4. Start each day with one question
Ask yourself this one question every day: “What are the three things I need to do today that will help me find the job and create the success that I desire?” Then, take action on those three things every day until you’ve achieved them.

You may not get there in two days, a week or even a month. But each day you’ll be one step closer to your goal. And you will get there eventually … or maybe even find yourself somewhere better.

5. Take on a “glass is 92 percent full” approach
Today’s employment-related statistics can be hard to get out of your head when you’re searching for a job. But unlike the pundits on TV who seem all too pleased to focus on the most negative numbers available, you can choose to focus on the flip side. Rather than fixating on 8 percent unemployment, focus on 92 percent employment.

6. Choose to be humble and hungry.
Be humble. Know that you don’t have all the answers and can learn something from everyone. Realize that there are always new ways to learn and improve. Be open to advice, to learning a new skill and trying a job you haven’t thought of before.

Also, be hungry. Seek out a mentor, take him to lunch and model his success. Think of his life as a blueprint you can follow. Continuously improve and seek out new ideas and new strategies.

By remaining humble and hungry after my job loss, I was able to focus on and learn the things that made it possible for me to run a restaurant, write, speak and achieve another great “H” word: happiness!

Of course, maybe you’re not the one who’s been laid off. We all know someone who’s lost his or her job. If you’re wondering, “What can I do for that person?” the answer is to encourage, uplift and support. It will not only bolster your loved one’s spirits, it will make you feel good, too. Leadership, after all, is a transfer of belief.

Jon Gordon is a speaker, consultant, and author of the international bestseller “The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy” and “The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work.” Jon’s next book, “Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else,” was released in May 2009. Visit his Web site at www.jongordon.com.

Copyright 2009 Jon Gordon All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.

By Julie Jansen

by Tania Khadder | Excelle

 1. Why do you want to work in this industry?

Bad answer:
I love to shop. Even as a kid, I spent hours flipping through catalogues.

Don’t just say you like it. Anyone can do that. Focus instead on your history with that particular industry, and if you can, tell a success story.

Good answer:
I’ve always loved shopping, but my interest in retail marketing really started when I worked at a neighborhood boutique. I knew our clothes were amazing, but that we weren’t marketing them properly. So I worked with management to come up with a marketing strategy that increased our sales by 25% in a year. It was great to be able to contribute positively to an industry I feel so passionate about, and to help promote a product I really believed in.

2. Tell us about yourself.

Bad answer:
I graduated four years ago from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor’s in Biology but I decided that wasn’t the right path for me. So I switched gears and got my first job, working in sales for a startup. Then I went on to work in marketing for a law firm. After that, I took a few months off to travel. Finally, I came back and worked in marketing again. And now, here I am, looking for a more challenging marketing role.

Instead of giving a chronological work history, focus on your strengths and how they pertain to the role. If possible, illustrate with examples.

Good answer:
I’m really energetic, and a great communicator. Working in sales for two years helped me build confidence, and taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I’ve also got a track record of success. In my last role, I launched a company newsletter, which helped us build on our existing relationships and create new ones. Because of this, we ended up seeing a revenue increase of 10% over two years. I’m also really interested in how companies can use web tools to better market themselves, and would be committed to building on your existing platform.

3. What do you think of your previous boss?

Bad answer:
He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I’ve moved on

Remember: if you get the job, the person interviewing you will some day be your previous boss. The last thing they want is to hire someone who they know is going to badmouth them some day. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay positive, and focus on what you learned from him (no matter how awful he really was).

Good answer:
My last boss taught me the importance of time management he didn’t pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible.

4. Why are you leaving your current role?

Bad answer:
I can’t stand my boss, or the work I’m doing.

Again, stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.

Good answer:
I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set in all of which, I see the potential for in this job.

 5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Bad answer:
Relaxing on a beach in Maui, or Doing your job.

There’s really no right answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to know that you’re ambitious, career-oriented, and committed to a future with the company. So instead of sharing your dream for early retirement, or trying to be funny, give them an answer that illustrates your drive and commitment.

Good answer:
In five years I’d like to have an even better understanding of this industry. Also, I really love working with people. Ultimately, I’d like to be in some type of managerial role at this company, where I can use my people skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people working for me, and the company as a whole.

 6. What’s your greatest weakness?

Bad answer:
“I work too hard”, or for the comedian, “Blondes”.

This question is a great opportunity to put a positive spin on something negative, but you don’t want your answer to be cliché, joking or not. Instead, try to use a real example of a weakness you have learned to overcome.

Good answer:
I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. He said “yes.” I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I’ve given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high level executives. I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell!

7. What salary are you looking for?

Bad answer:
In my last job I earned $35,000 so, now I’m looking for $40,000

If you can avoid it, don’t give an exact number. The first person to name a price in a salary negotiation loses. Instead, re-iterate your commitment to the job itself. If you have to, give a broad range based on research you’ve conducted on that particular role, in your particular city.

Good answer:
I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City.

 8. Why should I hire you?

Bad answer:
I’m the best candidate for the role.

A good answer will reiterate your qualifications, and will highlight what makes you unique.

Good answer:
I’ve been an Executive Assistant for the past ten years; my boss has said time and time again that without me, the organization would fall apart. I’ve also taken the time to educate myself on some of the software I regularly use (but didn’t really understand the ins and outs of). I’m an Excel wiz now, which means I can work faster, and take over some of what my boss would traditionally have had to do himself.  What’s good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.

 9. What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?

Bad answer:
I never finished law school  and everything that’s happened since has taught me that giving up, just because the going gets tough, is a huge mistake.

You don’t want to actually highlight a major regret, especially one that exposes an overall dissatisfaction with your life. Instead, focus on a smaller, but significant, mishap, and how it has made you a better professional.

Good answer:
When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn’t take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my Engineering classes, it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I’d even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I’m doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it’s not worth doing at all.

 10. How do you explain your gap in employment?

Bad answer:
I was so tired of working, and I needed a break, or I just can’t find a job.

Employment gaps are always tough to explain. You don’t want to come across as lazy or unhireable. Find a way to make your extended unemployment seem like a choice you made, based on the right reasons.

Good answer:
My work is important to me, so I won’t be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I’m taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one.

 11. When were you most satisfied in your job?

Bad answer:
I was most satisfied when I did well, and got praised for my work.

Don’t give vague answers. Instead, think about something you did well and enjoyed that will be relevant at this new job. This is an opportunity for you to share your interests, prove that you’re a great fit for the job and showcase your enthusiasm.

Good answer:
I’m a people person. I was always happiest and most satisfied when I was interacting with customers, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible customer experience. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as “Good or Excellent” 95% of the time. Part of the reason I’m interested in this job is that I know I’d have even more interaction with customers, on an even more critical level.

12. What did you like least about your last job?

Bad answer:
A lack of stability. I felt like the place could collapse around me at any time.

Try and stay away from anything that draws on the politics, culture or financial health of your previous employer. No matter how true it might be, comments like these will be construed as too negative. Also, you don’t want to focus on a function that might be your responsibility in the next role. So think of something you disliked in your last job, but that you know for sure won’t be part of this new role.

Good answer:
There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting I didn’t like spending quite so much time out of the office. I’m happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.

 13. Describe a time when you did not get along with a co-worker.

Bad answer:
I’m easy to get along with, so I’ve never had any kind of discord with another coworker.

Interviewers don’t like these types of easy out answers. And besides, they know you are probably not telling the truth. Think of a relatively benign (but significant) instance, and spin it to be a positive learning experience.

Good answer:
I used to lock heads with a fellow nurse in the INCU ward. We disagreed over a lot of things from the care of patients to who got what shifts to how to speak with a child’s family. Our personalities just didn’t mesh. After three months of arguing, I pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our differences and why we weren’t getting along. It turns out, it was all about communication. We communicated differently and once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.

 14. What motivates you?

Bad answer:
Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.

It’s not that this answer is wrong it’s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is practically begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic response; it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use examples where possible.

Good answer:
I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline; in my last role, I was responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time and within budget. I know that this job is very fast-paced, and deadline-driven I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.

 15. How would your friends describe you?

Bad answer:
I’m a really good listener.

While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for and as specific as possible. If you can, insert an example.

Good answer:
My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent. I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.

There seems to be no shortage of bad news out there lately. So much so that it can be hard to focus on the positive. But, in order to boost employee morale at your company, that’s exactly what you have to do. After all, your employees are your most important asset. Don’t let them become discouraged or disinterested.

As one of King County’s leading staffing agencies, we’ve picked up a few ideas over the years on how to boost employee morale that we’d like to share with you:

1. Be open with your employees.
It sounds simple, but not enough employers embrace open communication. Listen to what your employees have to say, welcome new ideas, and let them know that your door is always open.

2. Reward results.
While performance bonuses are great in a strong economy, they may not be realistic right now for your company. So consider giving bonuses in the form of extra vacation days. Another way to reward top employees is to create an employee wall of fame or an employee-of-the-month program. Or even a small gesture like sending an email or a note congratulating your employee on a job well done can work wonders.

3. Learn about your employees.
Get to know them—and their likes and dislikes. You don’t have to learn every detail of their background, but be sure to acknowledge important events, like birthdays, weddings, and births.

4. Stand behind your staff—and inspire loyalty.
The old adage, “the customer is always right,” is certainly true—for the most part. There are times (few and far between hopefully) when a client becomes unreasonable or unrealistic in his or her expectations. In these kinds of cases, back up your employee, particularly if the client gets verbally abusive (hey, we’ve seen it happen).

5. Encourage flexibility.
Let your employees work flexible hours, whether they can come in early and leave early, work a four day week of 10-hour days, or work a few days from home.

6. If possible, avoid layoffs.
Clearly, no one wants to lay off any employees. Unfortunately, lay offs are a reality sometimes. Even worse, nothing erodes employee morale more than a round of lay offs and wondering when their job is the next to get cut.

If you have to cut staff, be open about it with your remaining employees. Explain why you laid certain individuals off and what you’re doing to protect against further job cuts.

When employees aren’t happy on the job, then they’re not productive—which impacts you. As an employment agency in King County, WinStaffing can help you make sure employees are both happy and productive through customized employee retention plans.

As we  prepare to enter the new year, we here at WinStaffing wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful changes we’ve made to our business model these last few months.  From our new website, to switching payroll to the Global Cash Card, to more involved account management and more specialized interview techniques, WinStaffing has retooled our operation in order to more effectively and more efficiently meet the changing staffing needs of our clients in this rough economic climate.  These changes will enable WinStaffing going forward to be very responsive to our client’s needs, as well as work on behalf of our great employees to provide them with quality assignments that suit their skill sets.  ‘Matching Winning Employees With Winning Companies’ isn’t just a slogan for us, it’s a rule we live by each and every day.  We are proud to look back at all we’ve accomplished in 2009 and eagerly look forward to doing business in 2010!