Do you lie on your resume?


Just because everyone else is doing it, that doesnā€™t mean you have to do it too.

Do you want to be remembered as an honest candidate or the ā€œone that liedā€?

When writing a resume, you can sometimes get the urge to slip in a little white lie or two. But hereā€™s the thing about resumes: every little lie on this document is a black lie.

How exactly do people lie on a resume? You donā€™t need to concoct complex stories to lie on your resume. Simply:

  • Stretching out employment dates
  • Inflating numbers and metrics
  • Pumping up your previous job titles
  • Masking that you havenā€™t completed a certification or degree

are all forms of lying on your resume. These lies, no matter how small they are, can go a long way in swaying the hiring decision of an employer. That is why it is illegal to lie on a resume in some countries!

Will the hiring manager really know if I lie on my resume?

Hiring managers have years of practice and experience scanning resumes. Most of them can tell right off the bat if something sounds fishy on your resume.

Even if the hiring manager canā€™t spot a lie on your resume right away, it can all unravel during a job interview. Can you imagine what it would feel like if the interview panel discovered that you never completed the degree you said on your resume that you did?

The thing about lying on your resume is that every lie falls outside the white lie category. When the hiring manager discovers a lie on your resume, you become a candidate who tried to fool them into hiring you with false qualifications.

Besides, itā€™s not 1990 anymore. Most employers can find a good deal of information with a thorough background check within just a few hours or minutes.

What are the most common lies candidates state on their resumes?

According to an article published by Forbes in 2023, 70% of job seekers lie on their resumes! This is a huge number! Since lying on resumes seems to be so common, we decided to look into the type of lies that are the most told on resumes. So, what do people lie about the most on their resumes?

  • Certifications and licenses
  • Academic degree
  • Work experience
  • Skills and competencies
  • Criminal record

However, these are not the only things people lie about on their resumes.

Since so many people are doing it, would it really make a difference if you take the high road? Yes, absolutely will. If you want to establish yourself in the industry with integrity, take the first step by creating an honest resume.

What are the consequences of lying on a resume?

If you are still unsure about lying on your resume, you should take some time and ponder about the potential consequences you might face due to lying on your resume.

What are the possible consequences of lying on a resume?

  • Your lie may get exposed during a background check and the employer will no longer want to hire you
  • You might get blacklisted from the company after a resume lie exposes, and miss out on so many future opportunities that you are perfectly qualified for
  • If you got hired before they discovered the lie, you can get fired or face disciplinary actions
  • You can face serious legal ramifications depending on the kind of lie you have told on your resume while applying for a federal job
  • You may have to apologize for your actions and make amends to the employer

By Resume Mansion



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