Does anyone in the admission actually investigate your resume?

[Superina]

Hi, everybody, this might be an uncommon question to ask, but I wonder if anyone in the admission's office actually call to the company you worked for to ask people's comments about you?

My problem is, i've quitted months ago because of my father's sudden death and I'm currently tending my mom exclusively (meaning I'm not working). I haven't updated my resume yet so it still shows I'm working at my old company. For so many reasons I really really don't want to bring this one up on my statement of purpose. Instinctively I just want to upload my resume as it is, but I'm afraid if the admission process is crazily strict beyond my imagination that some guy may actually call my boss/colleagues to ask if I work there. Ok, i admit i'm quite paranoid, but it's worth it if i want to make my application perfect. Can anyone with admission office related work experience tell me if my concern is justified please? Thanks a million!!!!!!!

[Superina]

btw, I'm applying to the M.A in statistics program at Columbia, for now. I'm researching other statistics program i'm interested in and i'm sure i'll apply to several more.

[TakeruK]

I think it would be dishonest for you to say that you are still working for this company if you quit the job a few months ago. It's typical to only put years of employment in a CV though, so you can put something like:

2014 - 2015  Job XYZ at Company ABC

instead of:

Sept 2014 - July 2015: Job XYZ at Company ABC

Having an "end date" there on your CV makes it clear that you are no longer working there but it leaves out unnecessary details like exactly when and why you left. You won't have to bring up your personal situation at all. And it's not weird at all for a person applying for graduate school to stop working in their current job when they decide to apply.

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To answer the question of "would they check?", the answer is that they are unlikely to call up the company and ask but I know it could happen. They would probably only do this if your employment with this company is a deciding factor in admissions. I don't think it is routine for admission committees to check every line in your CV. 

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So, in my opinion, you have nothing to lose by being honest in your CV and making it clear that you no longer work there. It won't hurt you at all and you won't have to reveal any personal details you don't want to. On the other hand, if you are found to be lying on your CV, it will hurt you a lot. It makes a lot of sense to edit your CV and submit an application that is truthful---you have nothing to gain and a lot to lose otherwise.

[Superina]

Thanks, TakeruK. I've made adjustment accordingly. Really appreciate your comment:)

[Eigen]

Just to add, it's worth noting that issues like this aren't just for people checking before you're in grad school. 

This is a minor case, but in more serious cases of dishonesty during application, you can have admission (and degrees) retroactively pulled if you are found to have been dishonest in your admission materials. The likelihood is of course dependent on the severity of the fraud.

[Braddy]

@TakeruK Thanks for this great advice!