If you lie on your resume it’s more than likely that you’ll miss out on job opportunities.
There is no doubt that lying on your resume is tempting. To say you’ve worked at lofty companies in big-name industries is enticing, especially when you speculate how often employers really research your past experience. But while you think you and your lie (or lies) are invincible, neither are. In fact, more often than not, an employer can spot fibs on your resume in seconds. The Facts According to a survey by Career Builder, 75 percent of human resource managers spot inaccuracies on a resume. These inaccuracies include half-truths, omission, past employers and embellishments. Most common untruths such as education level, employment dates, job titles, and technical skills, are uncovered with quick and basic detective work. High-profile employees such as former Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson, former Notre Dame Football Head Coach George O’Leary, and celebrity chef Robert Irvine made headlines when they were found to have provided false background information to their employers during the application process. Why Lie? During the job application process for certain positions, applicants feel the need to overcompensate for their inadequate qualifications. Dan Schawbel, author of Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success, notes that a skills gap exists and while the economy is performing well there are millions of open jobs employers can’t seem to fill. The issue may lie in the expectations employers demand of candidates, ranging from experience to level of education. If candidates lack or fall short of these credentials they may feel compelled to falsify information in their resume. How To Spot A Truth Teller Hiring managers are trained to determine fact from fiction in all applications. Thanks to the Internet, background checks, and other vetting tools such as HireRight.com they can verify your information with a few clicks. Your personal life is open on the Internet through social media profiles and so are your professional credentials. Dealing With The Consequences Dishonest candidates are often ruled out from the next steps in the application process right from the get-go. If you do end up getting a job, then you get caught in a lie on your resume you’ll probably face immediate dismissal or worse, a tarnished reputation. At that point you may never be able to escape from your lies, which will affect your mobility within an organization and limit your job search. What You Can Do Fortunately, you really don’t have to lie to get a job. There are ways to secure a position without having to exaggerate and dig yourself into a hole you can’t get out of: Focus on your current accomplishments: Maybe you don’t have certain required skills, but you can show how your previous positions, hobbies, and experiences demonstrate similar abilities. Expand and utilize your existing network: Look for opportunities from your previous positions as well as chances to help people with their tasks or projects. Even if you land freelance work or a temporary position, your former supervisors may return the favor down the line. Build your credentials: Take classes, apply for different positions in your areas of expertise, and, ultimately, spend your free time expanding your skill set. Don’t sell yourself short: Focus on soft skills or those that can’t necessarily be taught such as organization, time management, working individually and as a member of a team. Showcase your problem-solving abilities and have anecdotes prepared to describe your unique traits and background. Your experiences are valuable, even when they don’t necessarily directly coincide with the job description.
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