Freelancers' applications - fact or fiction?

IT freelancers have topped a poll where they would rather have had a lower rating - that of being somewhat 'economical with the actuality' when it comes to revealing information about themselves when applying for positions.

The report from The Risk Advisory Group (TRAG) showed that across the board more than half (56 per cent) of CVs submitted by job applicants in 2002 contained lies or inaccuracies. But that figure rose to 70 per cent when the same tests were applied to IT contractors.

IT contractors were particularly 'forgetful' compared to the rest of the population in two areas - addresses where they had lived and failing to declare all directorships.

TRAG is one of Europe's leading independent investigations and intelligence consultancies. It conducts screening of thousands of candidates every year, for companies across a range of sectors. Candidates complete a 15-page application form which is then checked through interrogation of public data sources, authentication of professional and academic qualifications and investigation of previous employment histories. All screening is conducted with the consent of the applicant and conforms to data protection and human rights legislation.

The results of this survey come from 2,700 real people, applying for real positions and supplying real information with real 'porkies'. Of that number, 213 were IT consultants.

Ray Eglington from The Risk Advisory Group said: "This is not just standard information contained in CVs - anyone who is screened has to give their consent and some drop out at that point rather than agree. Applicants are then given a set of forms and told that the details they include will be thoroughly checked for accuracy.

"A high proportion can be attributed to genuine mistakes. Some people know the number of O levels they have achieved but might get the details of their grades mixed up. But the level of 'mistakes' relating to academic performance does vary through to improved or 'imagined' university degrees."

Of no fixed abode...

IT contractors were particularly poor with recalling where they had lived. In the wider survey nine per cent were found to have 'undeclared addresses' but that figure doubled to 18 per cent with IT freelancers.

Ray Eglington had a possible explanation. He said: "In general terms, some people don't always declare themselves resident in order to avoid appearing on electoral roles and therefore have possible County Court judgements traced to them. But with contractors they do have a tendency to move around a lot more because of the nature of their positions, so that could account for a higher number not declaring all the places they have lived.

Once a director.....

The other area where contractors let the side down is failing to declare all the directorships they have held. In the full sample, 14 per cent were found to have undeclared directorships whereas with IT contractors that figure shot up to 43 per cent.

Ray Eglington had a charitable explanation. He said: "IT contractors may have been involved as directors in several companies particularly during the dot com boom. They might have forgotten the details or felt that they have discharged their duties. However, on the suspicious side they might have reasons for not wanting potential employers or clients to know they have been involved as a director level of their own company.

The truth will out....

TRAG told UKTECH that more companies are turning to detailed scrutiny of employees and that is extending to short term contract positions. This is no longer restricted to the regulated financial institutions, many non-regulated firms also want external confirmation of claims made by applicants.

Freelancers are in a particularly vulnerable position in this area because past clients might not keep as well-documented records of contract positions as they do the permanent posts.

Ray Eglington had this advice for freelancers. He said: "It is a good idea to have what proof you can provide available for clients. Be ready to explain any gaps particularly in your employment record.

"For freelancers it is particularly advisable to get something in writing when you leave so that there is a formal record that confirms the time period you were there and briefly what you did. You are then 'in the system'.

"Regarding directorships - past and present - be sure you know what you have and be ready to declare them. Even if it was a punt during the dot com boom in a company which might have since folded."