Check that CV as applicants will often lie

Almost 40 per cent of human resources managers and recruiters consider reference checking a mere formality.

Xref chief executive and co-founder Lee-Martin Seymour.

New research from automated referencing company Xref reveals almost 40 per cent of human resources managers and recruiters consider reference checking a mere formality, while 32 per cent say it is a drain on time and resources.

And more than half the respondents claim reference checking is a frustrating process due to the delay it causes in the employment process.

The Xref survey, conducted by Quantum Market Research, found Australian businesses are being exposed to fraud by avoiding reference checking.

Xref chief executive Lee-Martin Seymour says businesses should see this as a wake-up call.

“The process is so tired and slow that businesses are ignoring it, but it is often the only thing standing between them and a massive loss of reputation due to high-profile fraud,” he says.

The survey found more than 70 per cent of jobseekers are willing to lie to find a job.

OVERSEAS CAREER SUPPORT

The Career Insight Group and Career Partners International intend to jointly support the growing number of Australians wanting to work overseas.

Career Insight founder Janine Fraser says every person’s career path is different, whether local or abroad.

“The Career Insight Group will now be able to support and offer a tailored approach to help Aussies decide on their career path, regardless of location,” Fraser says. “Our partnership with Career Partners International will support the growing number of Australians open to the idea of working overseas, with Career Partners International providing local expertise and support.”

The partnership will tap a growing demand among Australians to work overseas and help those going through career transitions.

STAFF BECOMING MORE ENGAGED

An Aon Hewitt study finds employee engagement is on the rise for the first time in three years, with more than half of Australians now engaged in their workplace.

The human resources consultant has found employee engagement is directly linked to revenue growth and can pay dividends.

The report says reward programs and recognition are increasingly critical to achieving a highly engaged and performing workplace, but Australians are less motivated by rewards and are instead driven by fairness, trust and support.

SPRING IN ITS STEP

Adecco Group is launching its Spring Professional brand in Australia with headquarters in Melbourne.

Spring Professional will allow the company to focus on permanent staffing for organisations seeking skilled labour in capital cities.

Managing director Richard Dunlop says Australia’s transition into a knowledge-driven economy has created a knock-on effect. Spring Professional will focus on key recruitment growth sectors including finance, technology, engineering and supply chains.

The company hopes to use and create technology platforms to optimise services and raise recruitment standards.

THE FUTURE IS SOFT SKILLS

Deloitte Access Economics research has found the importance of soft skills, such as teamwork, communication and critical thinking, is on the rise.

Commissioned by DeakinCo, the report says soft-skill-intensive occupations are expected to account for 63 per cent of all Australian jobs by 2030. But DeakinCo chief executive Simon Hann says demand for employees with soft skills exceeds supply by up to 45 per cent.