Smart employers hire for the future, not just to fill today's vacancy. Your education helps an employer decide what roles you will fit into as the company grows. Your high school diploma means you can at least read, write and do basic arithmetic. Any education beyond high school demonstrates how much of an asset you will be.

Visual Inspection

For recent graduates and those who still have their original diplomas, hand it to the hiring manager. The manager or the office administrator will examine the seal and make a photocopy. Unless they notice something odd, that ends the examination.

Asking You

Many employers ask questions such as what years you attended, whether or not you used another name and what degree you earned. Some other questions and things they may ask for to show proof of your educational background are:

What special projects did you work on?

Do you have any photos such as your official graduation photo, especially if you were wearing your honor cords?

Do you have any news clippings or letters of recommendation?



Can you show certificates of achievement or awards?

Contacting Your School or University

If you no longer have your original diploma due to a move or a disaster, you or your employer will have to contact your school or university. Doing this takes time and money. Depending on your institution, you may pay as much as $275 for a duplicate diploma.



Yale charges $150 to print a duplicate diploma, plus an additional $100 for expedited processing. You will pay another $25 for domestic mail. Courier service requires a prepaid FedEx return slip.



Other universities such as Kent State University and the University of Michigan are far more reasonable. Kent State University charges $25 regardless of the degree type. The University of Michigan charges by diploma size rather than by type: as little as $15 or as much as $75.

Third-Party Verification Services

A whopping 85 percent of employers told HireRight that they found lies and embellishments on resumes and applications during the screening process. Third-party verification services helped screen these candidates out before they could lead to a negligent hiring claim.

Companies such as Sterling Talent Solutions and A Matter of Fact will verify education records as well as employment history, professional licensing and certification, military service, Department of Transportation and state driving history. They also perform reference checks, giving employers the most bang for their employment-verification bucks.