Sure, it's very tempting to lie on your resume... but is it okay to do so?
Ah, you don't want to call it lying. You want to call it:
- Embellishing
- Stretching the truth
- Exaggerating
- Overstating
- Enhancing
- Polishing
- Padding
Nice words. But the recruiter will call it Lying.
Even if you set aside the moral dilemmas that go into lying, the consequences can be severe enough to dissuade you from doing it.
Studies show that at least one-fifth of all job-seekers lie on their resumes by:
- Adding extra skills and qualifications
- Fudging dates of employment to cover up employment gaps.
- Lying about certifications and awards
- Lying about their job responsibilities
But what job-seekers don't realize is that they can easily be caught by employers through:
- Cleverly worded interview questions
- Background checks
- Observation on the job
- Plain, good-old instinct, that comes with experience
The consequences can be dire – right from earning a bad name, to getting fired. And once you are fired for the wrong reasons, you have a permanent black mark against your name.
Why do you need to lie in the first place? There are ways to get what you want without having to resort to such unethical tactics.
For instance, you get to know about a great job that is perfect for you – except that you don't have one of the requisite skills or enough experience. But you're sure you can do it, and can learn on the job. Instead of cooking up non-existent experience or skills, you can truthfully state in a covering letter that you know you do not have that prerequisite, but you are certain that you will be able to learn it and do the job well. Back your statement by examples of what a quick learner you are, and of past successes.
The worst that can happen is that your resume will be ignored. But if the prospective employer is impressed by your confidence and your other credentials, there is nothing to stop her from giving you a chance! You really have nothing to lose.
After all, a resume is not really about what you have done, but what you can do!
Some argue otherwise. They say that prospective employers, who are aware of the job-seeker's penchant of puff up his resume, start reviewing an application with a, say, 10% margin in mind. So, if you are completely honest, you are at a disadvantage. What is wrong with taking an educated risk, they ask.
Perhaps it is just padding, perhaps it is just an inaccuracy, and is technically not a lie. But yet, if you are caught, a dark cloud will hang over your character – and that is quite a pity, especially if you are otherwise a good worker.
The point is that lying is just not necessary. By using a little creativity and ingenuity, and with the help of some strategy, you can easily project your skills and qualifications in the best light. By the help of word processors, you can use highlighting and bold fonts to emphasize your strengths and major skills. You can make sure that any potential weaknesses or unimpressive areas can remain in the background. This way, you are letting the reader see you in the best light, but at the same time, being honest and ethical!
Similarly, there is absolutely no harm in making your jobs and responsibilities seem a little more important and exciting than they actually are – well-chosen words and phrases can do just that, without even the slightest bit of exaggeration!
You don't need to lie on your resume to pep it up. If you don't think you can do it yourself, you always have the option of approaching professional resume writers who will add that zing to your resume – honestly!
Also see: How not to lie on a resume
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