How are you conducting the verification of credentials shared by professionals you are hiring?

As we get more globally connected, leveraging the best of available talent globally, we are presented with a challenge, that is – how to establish the authenticity of the credentials presented by the prospective candidates. There are various reasons that highlight the need for verification more than document alteration with technology, stricter governance from the regulators etc.

There are a plethora of methodologies commonly used to validate the credentials such as visual comparison, personal reference, online research, Primary Source verification. Out of all, Primary Source Verification (PSV) methodology is the most comprehensive and evolved method.

Primary Source Verification

Primary source verification or verifying of the credentials from the source is the most evolved methodology to determine the authenticity of the document and the information contained in the document.The principles are simple and there exist variations in the way they are implemented

 Variations 

While keeping the principles similar there can be variations in the way the actual verification process is performed. Some of the know variations in the processes include:

• Digital Verification – The Issuing Authority could digitize their records and make them available in a form in which verification can be sought electronically.
• Issuing Authority direct response – The Issuing Authority could be asked to send the certified copies directly to decision makers thereby ensuring verification from the source.
• Reach the Issuing Authority – Decision makers could reach out to the authorized individual at the Issuing Authority to review the submitted documents and sign off on the authenticity of the documents