'Immediate red flag': Ex-Google MD rejects 'Harvard alum' candidate for 'degree dramatising,' here's why
There's no denying that an Ivy League degree can catch an employer's eye. However, attempting to achieve this through questionable methods guarantees a negative reaction. Parminder Singh, Chief Operating Officer of Tatler Asia and former managing director at Google, has highlighted a concerning trend in hiring: the embellishment of academic credentials, which Singh calls 'degree dramatizing.'
This deceptive practice is raising eyebrows and sparking discussions in professional circles.
Also read: Want To Study In An Ivy League College? Here's All You Need To Know?
What is 'degree dramatizing'?
Parminder Singh took to LinkedIn to share a striking encounter during an interview: "'Harvard Alum,' read the candidate's CV I was interviewing. There were no other details about his educational background. When I asked what he studied at Harvard, he replied, 'A Course on Entrepreneurship.' When I inquired about the duration of the course, he said it was four weeks. I couldn't help but form the impression that he's prone to exaggeration, which immediately raised a red flag for me."
The candidate's response prompted Singh to caution about what he terms 'degree dramatizing.'
Singh emphasised the distinction, stating, "A paid short term course is a good addition to the CV but it doesn't quite qualify you as a 'Harvard Alum'. In fact, Harvard University's website explicitly defines who qualifies as a Harvard Alum," adding, "Being an alum of a premier institute implies undergoing a rigorous selection process and spending a considerable amount of time with individuals who have undergone a similar process."
Highlighting the broader implications, Singh remarked, "Employers value honesty above all else. By attempting to take a shortcut like this, you risk coming across as duplicitous. It's simply not worth it. Integrity is far more valuable than any Ivy League degree."
How people reacted
Recruiters' comments show different views on exaggerating academic credentials?on LinkedIn and in CVs.
One recruiter acknowledged Parminder Singh's stance, stating, "Very nicely called out Parminder! Linkedin is making this worse - they add the most recent education experience on the headline. I had to actively go in and change what shows up on my page to revert it back to the full time MBA school, vs the short term program I did at LBS. But agree that stating Harvard Alum on a CV for doing short term course is a different level! The case you called out is not just a red flag, its a glaring fog horn!"
Another commenter highlighted broader trends of misrepresentation, citing examples like "Award Winning Speakers" and "LinkedIn Top Voice," where individuals inflate their achievements beyond their actual significance. They critiqued such practices for distorting credibility.
However, a different perspective surfaced, suggesting a nuanced view of the situation.?
This commenter pointed out two conflicting viewpoints: from the recruiter's perspective, the mention of Ivy League status may initially attract attention and lead to shortlisting, benefiting both parties in securing an interview. From the candidate's perspective, leveraging the "alum" status¡ªhowever obtained¡ªaims at maximising opportunities in a competitive job market. They implied that colleges also play a role in promoting these short-term programs as pathways to prestigious affiliations desired by recruiters.
The debate ultimately hinges on where the line should be drawn between strategic marketing of one's qualifications and outright misrepresentation.?
What's your take on the situation?
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