The economy is awful for the umpteenth year in a row and the job market hasn’t exactly rebounded like an NBA basketball, so people are getting pretty desperate for jobs. The better the job, the more desperate the candidates, and even people who would have had their pick of great positions five years ago are now grateful for whatever they can get. The temptation to beef up your resume with a few untruths has never been greater.
The fact is that employers are reporting seeing more and more lies and exaggerations on resumes—and it’s everyone from entry-level minions to CEO candidates who are doing it. While it may seem like stretching the truth (if not outright lying) is the only way to get your foot in the door, it’s actually the opposite. According to employers, lying on your resume is the kiss of death.
Common Misrepresentations
Employers report that one of the most common resume lies is that a candidate has finished their degree when they haven’t. This was the case with Yahoo! CEO Scott Thompson, who listed a computer science degree on his resume that he never completed. Though it may have seemed like a little white lie at the time, revelations like that can seriously impact a company’s reputation, stock price, and fundraising efforts.
In entry-level jobs, the G.P.A. is the most common lie. If you round it up from 3.49 to 3.5, it’s enough to raise a red flag, but padding it by any more than that will get your application tossed into the circular file.
One background checking firm estimates that they turn up a whopper at least a third of the time when checking resumes. Significant lies seen most often by employment agencies and background checkers include job title, salary history, duties, reason for leaving, and length of employment.
Background Checks
People have embellished resumes for as long as resumes have existed, but experts say that it’s more common than ever in today’s competitive job market. Employers have responded with very thorough background checks on those who make it to a certain point in the hiring process. Recruiters say that most applicants don’t think firms will actually check up on the details of their resumes, but they will and do. Social networking and other Internet resources have made it easier than ever for employers to check up on the smallest details.
If you fudge at all, you can be sure it will come out, and any stretching of the truth will leave a bad taste in an employer’s mouth. Although you may try to skew your resume toward the unique qualities a potential employer is looking for, it’s important not to cross the line into false statements. It can be easy to justify, but nothing will cost you consideration for a job faster than dishonesty.
What Happens If You Get Busted
The consequence for the majority of people who are caught in a misrepresentation is that their resume is summarily shredded and they lose the opportunity to be considered for the job. This is not a small thing, especially for professional level positions, but it’s not like you’ll be arrested for fudging your background—unless, of course, you take it to an extreme. For example, if you were to somehow con your way into a position that would risk public safety, such as practicing medicine without a valid license, you could end up being liable for damages.
On the other hand, if you are found out after you were hired, you can be fired on the basis of resume fraud, which not only puts you out of a job, but will cost you some or all of your unemployment benefits.
Is Fudging Ever Okay?
Experts say that there are only two circumstances in which it is kosher to bend reality just a bit when preparing a resume:
1. If a firm you worked for was acquired or changed names, you may list the current, recognized name in your work history.
2. If you have several short-term W-2 and 1099 projects, you may bundle them under one consulting section.
Experts also say that, in terms of omissions, it is your choice entirely—though you should expect things like prior felonies to come out in a background check.
If you really want to stand out to employers, go ahead and tell the absolute truth on your resume. In today’s job climate, your integrity will shine through.
