Ever lied on a resume? Statistics show that as many as 40% of us have -- that's almost half! So what are we all saying when we stretch the truth in an attempt to land a job? Employers say it's usually one of these:
- Stretching dates to cover gaps in employment
- Claiming to have a degree that you don't
- Inflating job titles and/or previous salaries
- Exaggerating technological/computer skills
- Claiming fluency in a foreign language (being able to count to 10 does not make you fluent!)
Just remember: while putting a little white lie or two on your resume might seem pretty harmless (you're a catch of an employee, right? Why not make it look that way on paper?) most employers and HR reps are onto the scheme and if they catch you in a lie, no matter how small, your entire application is likely to end up in the trash bin.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Rudloff says: (4:02PM on Jun 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
As a UCF Knights fan, I always (sadly) think of our football coach. You can lie on a resume and get away with it for years and year, but eventually... 'Reap what you sow'. Coach O'leary had to resign his dream gig with Notre Dame almost immediately once it was discovered :(
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Rigel says: (4:10PM on Jun 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I remember hearing about that vaguely... what did he lie about exactly?
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Alex Rudloff says: (4:28PM on Jun 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Said he earned a masters degree from a school that didn't exist, and said he lettered in football in undergrad, which he didn't..
Hell of a ball coach though. Just a shame he felt the need to lie in addition to it all.