JOBWIRE

40 Percent of Resumes Fib

Forbes magazine recently talked to a variety of recruiters to find out what information they see most frequently fabricated on resumes. One of the most common tactics is playing with dates to hide employment gaps, whether the applicant is trying to hide a prison stay, was fired, was loafing, or simply did too much job hopping. One recruiter estimated that 40 percent of all resumes are less than forthright. Bogus college degrees are a popular ploy, as is inflating college grades and honors. Experience and accomplishments are prone to intentional embellishment, and inflating past pay is also a popular fib. The article concludes that stretching the truth on your resume these days is particularly risky business – since HR experts are more vigilant than ever.

Have You Googled Yourself?

Wondering why you aren’t getting called back for that second interview? Perhaps you should do what many employers do today – run a Google search on your name. The Des Moines Business Record Online recently told the story of one applicant – a math and economics senior at UCLA – who discovered that a humorous article he had written was instantly accessible on Google. Worse, the article was about cheating in order to make a more favorable impression on potential employers. While there is no proof the article hampered his job search, his prospects changed once the article was pulled from the Web. He starts in the Fall with a Fortune 500 company. What are the chances you will be Googled? A survey conducted by executive job-search agency ExecuNet found that 77 percent of recruiters use Web searches as part of their screening process. Thirty-six percent of those say they have eliminated candidates based solely on Internet revelations.

On the Job Front

NATIONWIDE – Northwest Airlines flight attendants last week rejected a proposal to cut their hourly pay by 21 percent. The airline, which has filed for bankruptcy, is seeking to save $195 million a year in flight attendant salaries. Other employee groups have agreed to similar rollbacks . . . The US Senate has approved a bill that increases the cap on high-tech H-1B visas from 65,000 to 115,000. The visas, used primarily by high-tech firms, are granted to foreigners with specialized skills . . . Current and former employees of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp sued the company for failing to pay overtime, forcing them to work off the clock and unlawfully detaining them after they punched out. The civil suit was filed in SF Superior Court and seeks class-action status. The suit also asks for back pay and damages. A company spokesperson said the action is without merit.

STATEWIDE – Pondering a career in real estate? You are not alone. The number of aspiring agents is rising faster than California home prices. The California Dept of Real Estate reports that a record number of residents now hold a real-estate license – nearly half a million. That amounts to one real-estate license for every 52 adults. "The level of interest in real-estate licensure is unprecedented," notes real-estate commissioner Jeff Davi. In response, his department has conducted several "mega-exams" in which thousands took the test at one time.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Albertson’s grocery chain will close 37 stores following the sale of the firm to a group of investors. The downsizing will leave the chain with 131 stores in the region. Company officials said they would work to find jobs for affected employees . . . Kaiser pharmacists reached agreement with the healthcare provider, averting a threatened strike. Details will not be made public until the pact is ratified by members.

HAYWARD – Nutek Corp is expanding. The sterilization company that services the medical and biotech device industries has signed a lease for 36,000 square feet. No word on staffing plans.

SANTA CLARA – According to tech publication TG Daily, chipmaker Intel plans to lay off as many as 16,000 workers. The company has been challenged recently by increased competition and reduced profits.

Medical Labor Shortage Critical

Kaiser Permanente’s top officer says the growing shortage of nurses and other healthcare personnel means labor costs are soaring. Kaiser president Mary Ann Thode told the San Francisco Business Journal that there needs to be a partnership between healthcare organizations, government, employers and educational institutions to solve the labor-shortage problem. "California has the lowest rate of registered nurses per capita of any state," she notes, adding that 60 percent of qualified applicants for certain types of medical training are turned away by schools that don’t have room. Nationwide, there may be a shortage of up to one million nurses by 2020, and Thode doesn’t see state or federal agencies doing much to address the problem. "I don’t think they’re paying much attention."