A polished CV can hide a lot. An exaggerated job title, a few extra years of experience or a degree that was never completed. Some candidates go further and present certificates from institutions that do not exist. Here is how to verify education and work history before you hire, from a degree background check to calls with former employers.

Why CV or Resume checks matter?

When you hire based on qualifications and experience, you are paying for skills you expect the person to have. If those claims are false, you may end up with someone who cannot do the job, and in regulated or technical roles, that can create real safety and compliance risks.

Part 1: Academic background check

Common issues

• Degrees from unaccredited institutions or "degree mills"

• Certificates that have been edited or forged

• Claiming a qualification that was started but not completed

• Wrong graduation dates to hide gaps

How to verify

1. Ask for copies of certificates and transcripts and compare them with the CV.

2. Check accreditation. For Malaysian qualifications, the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency lists accredited programmes.

3. Run an education background check to confirm the qualification with the source. CheckDulu includes education history verification as one of its checks.

Part 2: Employment history background check

Common issues

• Inflated job titles or responsibilities

• Stretched employment dates to hide gaps

• Companies that are hard to trace

• References who are friends rather than former managers

How to verify

1. Compare the CV with professional profiles such as LinkedIn for consistent dates and titles.

2. Call former employers directly using contact details you find yourself, not only those provided by the candidate.

3. Ask specific questions: dates of employment, job title, main responsibilities and whether they would rehire.

4. Check that past employers exist. For Malaysian companies, an SSM business search can confirm registration.

5. Review Industrial Court records for past employment disputes, which CheckDulu includes in its checks. Remember that a case alone does not mean the candidate was at fault.

Handling gaps and inconsistencies

Career gaps are normal. People take time off for study, family, health or travel. What matters is honesty. If dates do not match, ask the candidate about it calmly. A clear explanation is usually reassuring. Evasion is not.

Make verification part of every hire

Add education and work history checks to your standard process so every candidate is treated the same. For the bigger picture, read what shows up on an employment background check.

Try your first background check free with CheckDulu.