Do you struggle with not quite fitting the requirements for job announcements but want to apply anyway?
Have you been tempted to stretch the truth or make up information so that you look like a great job candidate?
When it comes to résumés and job applications, there is NO place for lies, not even the little white variety. There are common things that people lie about on résumés and job applications.
Here is my list of common résumé lies to avoid.
#1 Post High School Education Issues
- Degree – Claims to have graduated with a degree, diploma or certification when the person did not. This varies widely from no post high school education at all to failing a required course and never making it up. Then there are the students who stopped attending college when they were just a few classes short of the graduation requirement – many planning to return but never did.
- Prestigious Universities – Claims attendance or graduation from prestigious schools that they did not attend.
- Grade Point Average – Claiming a higher ranking than achieved.
#2 Salary History
Claims they made higher earnings at their previous job/s than is factual. Job seekers need to know, many employers are now asking to see a copy of your last pay stub or federal tax return as a way to prove your income history.
#3 Big-Name Accounts or Clients
Claims to have worked with impressive well-known clients or accounts when they did not.
#4 Skills & Experience
Claims to have a high level of technical skill or experience they do not possess. Be honest about your level of proficiency. If you do not have the required experience requested in the job announcement, perhaps you are not the best candidate for that position. If you qualify for most of the items listed in the job announcement, but are lacking in a few areas, there may be ethical ways to handle this issue.
#5 Languages
Claims to foreign language fluency when actual skill levels are more elementary. There is a lack of international language proficiency standards, at the present time. However, the following blog post may help define and more accurately represent language levels on a resume.
#6 Achievement Numbers
This is padding the numbers for an achievement, such as:
- Claims to have increased sales by 78% when the real truth was 18%
- Saying they managed 100 people when it was only 15.
- Inferring they helped to develop and facilitate a national conference or event when they only helped one morning at the registration table.
#7 Employment Dates
Altering the start and end dates in an attempt to hide a gap in employment.
Getting Help: Common Resume Lies to Avoid
Why would a person choose to lie? Often it is because they believe that stretching-the-truth, or lying, will help them to get the job. This usually back fires and makes a difficult situation much worse. Employers do check references, verify employment dates, salary history and college or post high school education at the time of hire. This is why many employers have a probation period that could range from 30 days to 1 year. During that time they will verify your application information and ability to perform the job satisfactorily. Unfortunately, in some cases, the verification process never took place until much later in time. When the truth finally came out, the individual found themselves in a public scandal of nation-wide interest.
If you are having trouble with your résumé and job search or do not know how to handle issues like those mentioned above, seek the assistance of a professional résumé writer or career counselor. These professionals have the knowledge and skills to address and resolve issues and obstacles on your résumé and in your job search.
Radiant Resume Services is available to assist you in your job search, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and career progression. Contact Us today, we will help you to avoid the common resume lies and help you SHINE brighter and reach your career goals faster!
