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INSOMIS
PO Box 542, Big Bear City, CA, 92314
Employment Resources Bulletin
909-878-0260 Website

How to Tell if a Job Applicant is Lying

Anyone who reviews resumes knows that job applicants sometimes lie to get ahead. Hiring the wrong person can jeopardize your business's success, employee productivity and bottom line. Because you only want to hire qualified candidates, learn how to tell if a job applicant is lying.

What do job applicants lie about?

  • Education or degrees
  • Professional training
  • On-the-job experience
  • Employment dates
  • Job descriptions
  • Former employers
  • References
  • Salary claims

How do job applicants get away with lying?

  1. Rely on gut feelings. Intuition can sometimes be right, but gut feelings are not always accurate and can lead hiring managers to miss holes in a resume.
  2. Judge based solely on first impressions. Impressions are made in the first few seconds of an initial meeting; hiring managers who let those first impressions cloud the interview may not dig for the truth.
  3. Use mirroring. Hiring managers may look for applicants who are like them and then recommend those candidates instead of verifying facts and qualifications.
  4. Rely on a good interview. Experienced applicants can perform well in interviews and win over hiring managers even if some claims are exaggerated or untrue.
  5. Trust everyone. Some hiring managers do not ask for references or check facts and simply take applicants at their word.
  6. Trust referrals and recommendations. Candidates with a referral may be fast-tracked even when their qualifications are not fully verified.

How to spot a lying job applicant

  • Review resumes, online profiles and LinkedIn thoroughly. Look for inconsistencies like employment gaps or frequent job changes.
  • Perform background checks. Applicants with criminal records or other issues may not disclose that information, but you need accurate facts for safety and compliance.
  • Call references. Contact every reference listed, take notes, and compare what references say to the applicant’s resume and interview answers.
  • Ask strong interview questions. Use behavioral and situational questions that get applicants to describe past actions and results rather than leading them to give assumed answers.

Hiring the right people helps your company move forward. In addition to screening and verification, consider insurance and risk-management resources for employers; see Hiring (Insurance) for more information.

If your business operates in a regulated or specialty sector, review industry-specific coverage where relevant, for example Pot Cultivators Insurance.

If you want help applying these checks or reviewing risks with a licensed representative, ask an agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common lie on a résumé?

The most common misrepresentations involve education, dates of employment and job responsibilities.

Should I always run a background check?

Background checks are recommended for roles with safety, financial, or regulatory exposure, but follow applicable laws and obtain applicant consent.

How can I verify employment dates and duties?

Call listed employers and references, request employment verification letters, and compare LinkedIn or portfolio details with what the applicant provided.

Are strong interview questions effective at catching lies?

Yes—behavioral and situational questions that ask for specifics and examples are more likely to reveal inconsistencies than generic questions.

INSOMIS 909-878-0260 Website
 

How to Stay Motivated at Work When Your Coworkers Go On Vacation

Overview

Summer often brings a lighter office schedule, coworkers taking time off, and a temptation to daydream about vacation. With a few intentional habits you can protect your productivity, build skills, and leave the season feeling accomplished instead of distracted.

This guide offers practical tips you can use during slower weeks to stay motivated, strengthen your resume, and create better working relationships at the office.

Key takeaways

  • Small morning routines set the tone for sustained focus and energy.
  • Use extra responsibility as a chance to learn and add measurable experience to your resume.
  • Working smarter during vacation season can pay off financially and professionally.

How it works

Motivation during the summer relies on routine, purpose, and small rewards. Begin with a predictable morning ritual—healthy breakfast, brief meditation, or a favorite playlist—to reduce decision fatigue and increase focus.

When colleagues are away, the workload may shift. Seeing those tasks as temporary leadership opportunities helps you gain visibility and concrete accomplishments you can cite later.

This is also a good time to explore industry-specific resources and training or to review niche coverage options you may encounter in your work, for example Vacation Rental Program information if you support clients with short-term rental properties.

What it may cover (and what it may not)

Practical summer motivation strategies tend to cover personal routines, time management techniques, and low-cost team-building activities you can do with remaining staff.

They do not replace formal career development or comprehensive training programs; use the season to supplement those with targeted tasks and learning goals that fit into your regular job responsibilities.

If your role touches niche topics, take advantage of quieter days to familiarize yourself with specialized areas such as Miniature Golf Insurance policies or other industry-specific materials you might seldom review during busier months.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid letting slower periods turn into aimless time. Without structure, small distractions can erode productivity quickly.

Don’t hoard work without asking for clarity; if you’re taking on extra tasks, confirm priorities with your manager so you focus on what matters most.

Also avoid comparing yourself negatively to coworkers who are on vacation; instead, set a short list of achievable outcomes for the week to maintain momentum.

Questions to ask an agent

If your summer projects touch client exposures or specialized coverage, prepare a short list of questions before you consult an insurance expert.

Common prompts include: “What gaps should I watch for in this type of account?” and “Which documents or evidence will help support a stronger client file?”

If you want a quick way to get a tailored review, consider using the option to ask an agent for guidance on specific client or business needs.

Next steps

Make a simple weekly plan: one skill to practice, one relationship-building action, and one short-term goal to complete before the next week.

Share breakfast or a brief lunch with a colleague you don’t know well to build rapport and learn how their role connects to yours.

Finally, if your work intersects with highly specialized fields, set aside an hour each week to read up on relevant resources such as Caisson Insurance for Underwater Construction or other technical references that expand your expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I keep a consistent routine when schedules change in summer?

Pick two nonnegotiable morning habits—such as a healthy breakfast and a 10-minute planning session—and do them daily to anchor your routine.

Is it better to take on extra tasks while coworkers are away?

Taking on extra tasks can boost your experience and visibility, but confirm priorities with your manager so you focus on high-impact work.

How do I avoid burnout when doing overtime in the summer?

Balance overtime with clear boundaries: schedule recovery time, limit consecutive long days, and keep leisure plans as incentives.

What are quick ways to build rapport with coworkers who are in the office?

Share small gestures like bringing breakfast, inviting someone to lunch, or asking about their current projects to start stronger connections.

INSOMIS 909-878-0260 Website
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