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| Top 9 Resume Lies That HR Will Catch You On! |
by Mark W. Avera - March 9, 2008
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Lying is nothing new, and neither is lying on a resume. Last year, the CEO of a New York executive recruitment firm estimated that 40 percent of all resumes are not altogether truthful (story). Employers are not in the dark about this, however. About 40 percent of HR professionals surveyed by the Society for Human Resource Management ”reported they’ve increased the amount of time they spend checking references over the past three years.” It was always risky (not to mention unethical…) to lie on a resume, but now it’s getting much riskier. Simply put, the best advice is the negative of the Nike slogan: “just don’t do it.”
According to Forbes.com, here are the Top Nine Resume Lies…and HR departments are looking out for them!
- Lying about a degree
- Playing with dates (to hide anything from jobhopping to a position you were fired from)
- Exaggerating numbers and former accomplishments
- Increasing previous salary
- Inflating titles
- Lying about technical abilities
- Claiming language fluency
- Providing a fake address (common if someone is moving to a new city)
- Padding grade point averages
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| JAskew12 (Ormond Beach Florida) |
on 11 Oct 2008 at 9:10 am |
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As a 26-yr, seasoned HR Professional, I gathered from the comments here that several elements with recruiting, resume writing, interviewing, negotiating - what to say, go, no go, yes, no, maybe are all floating around with indecisiveness, so as with all of you -- here's my two cents worth / take it with a grain o' salt if you will.
For those fresh-outs (Recent grads) w/o experience and need a position to gain it, shine on during any interview you can land by communicating basic STAR resolutions as the value you can bring to the table. Behavioral interviewing skills will enhance your success and Geez Louise, use some common sense by reflecting on your College experience; specifically by relating it to the position. And if you unable to make the transition from Academics to "Real Survival" mode in the job mkt; stay in class until you learn to tie your shoes...We all started somewhere, and I agree that education doesn't replace experience, but education can bolster experience, so....
For those in the job mkt as long as I, or longer, and are caught up in the downturn - there's no doubt you're a survivor - so pick it up and do whatever it takes to make it happen (diversify - improvise - learn new skills/methods - while bridging careers I worked assembly in automotive; learned welding; sold Advertising / sold Autos; sold loans as an originator in finance for Re-Fi's; worked on docks for RoadWay at nights to "Make it Happen," until my career in the HR mkt picked up.
As for RESUMES: Everyone bears the COST burden for unsubstantiated information - think about it, you, the candidate falsify employee information during the hiring process by exaggerating your work/education experiences - you bought the suit ($), spent $ to make $ in order to find a job, then the employer spends money $ from the time 1st contact is made with you up until 6-12 months later and the relo bill is paid @ 25k to move you -- more costs...plus base pay, incentives (stock or not, auto or not) to attract the best talent (you, they think) and ALL FOR NOT. Then, the employer discovers the FINAL REAL TRUTH and has to unfortunately terminate; there goes about 150k down the drain.
Long story short - Ethics: If Integrity and honesty are not in your arsenal of values, do yourself and the potential employer a favor; go elsewhere...OR, behave appropriately by spilling your GUTS out and tell the entire truth about gaps in employment - terminated for theft is a hard recovery for anyone, but addressing it head-on during an interview "shines" the character element we employers seek in talent these days. Believe me, fraudulent activities, and dishonest employees including Executives are not exempt from prosecution these days and club membership is shrinking in those ranks. Job market is tough so don't make it tougher on yourself by giving in thinking you'll get ahead - you'll end up three steps back when it's over..
To lie or be dishonest on any portion of a resume is not worth the paper its written on...your character is worth more than the recycled doc used to exhibit who you're not..so keep it truthful, if you're not the fit -- you're not the fit, move on to other pastures.
Hope you find my twenty cents worth more than the two cents I started out to say.
Good Luck to everyone. |
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| eutiquio b. catimbang jr. (qatar) |
on 26 Sep 2008 at 3:46 pm |
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| the best thing we can help ourselves is to tell the truth. especially when we want to fullfill our dreams in the field of professionalism. |
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| BRETT BARONI (LEHIGH ACRES Florida) |
on 17 Sep 2008 at 10:36 pm |
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| Be truthful about your resume it will pay off in the long run |
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| M Tanna (Palm Coast Florida) |
on 17 Sep 2008 at 9:58 am |
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Sometimes your resume can show that you are over qualified for a position. Now wait a minute. either you are qualified or your not. At a recent interview I arrived 10 minutes early and had a seat amongst all the other candidates there and noticed how none were dressed for success.Some had shorts on, some with tennis shoes and one even was eating the second half of his lunch while waiting to be called.
Of course I was in dress pants, dress shirt and wearing a tie.
After waiting 25 minutes I was finnally called in for the interview (that by the way only took 6 minutes) and after answering a couple of questions by the interview team was asked to list my accomplishments over the last couple of years only to be cut short and told that they were only trying to put a face with a name.Ha Ha!
I have been in this industry for over 30 years and they had a room full of candidates that may have had 6 years experience combined.The interviewing company wasn't lookinig for a qualified candidate they wanted someone they could hire for cheap money. |
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| Life Is Like Gravity - It Sucks (NJ) |
on 12 Aug 2008 at 12:00 am |
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I’m almost certain that none who have commented is an international student. Anyways, I’m from India and I’m graduating with honors in MBA (honors? Who cares). For people like me, the story is even worse as we have so many restrictions with Visa and legal status. I do not understand why the system is so messed up and unachievable. Firstly, I haven’t found an employer who is willing to hire me without my having a Social Security. However, I cannot get a SSN without having an offer letter. Even an American recruiter refused to help me for the same reason though he was pleased with my abilities. They lack knowledge in this matter and think that I’m asking them to do something illegal when I explain the simple procedure. I’ve been looking for a job for a while and I hate to say this; all international student placed through a consulting firm have faked their resumes to a shameless extent. I strongly believe all companies know about it too but they don’t care because, the employee is not a direct hire and is only employed through the consultant/recruiter. The company just wants to get their job done by these consultants and not worry about the rest. It’s funny how stupid the HR is because they fail to realize how a fresh international student can have 7+ years of experience. Unlike US, in most other Asian countries (especially India and China), students pursue a bachelor degree immediately after high school and then again pursue with masters degree immediately. Keep in mind that their government doesn’t allow them to work during those 6 years as a full time student. Some however take a break for a year or two between bachelor and master degrees. It is impossible for any international student to possess the meaningless experience that employers ask for. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw few resumes of friends that showed 5-7 years of experience when in reality they hardly had 3 months. I’m sure managers can figure out easily who have had real experience at real work though he/she could slip through an interview. Don’t know why they keep them. Oh yea, that’s because, by the time they figure out they don’t know anything, they’ve already learned what they need to know. DUH! Can’t we fresher’s with no experience and an accomplished degree do that?
The last thing I want to do is to lie. A degree is not everything but it sure proves that we are capable and dedicated in what we do. The worst part is that most entry level positions require a high school diploma or certifications. Though I am willing to start from scratch, I don’t want to be doing simple data entry or clerical work after spending over $40k on a Masters degree? I have worked for 3 years in India and I had 70 people (3 teams) working under me when I was just 22. Give me something challenging! The only place where I could get back the money I’ve invested in my education is in the so called “Land of Opportunities” which is why I still prefer to stay here and gain some experience in the meantime (I love this country by all means for its beauty and people). Looks like the system only want our money by selling education because the fee is ridiculous ($600/credit) compared to what a domestic student pays.
Now, I have no money to eat and no place to stay so I’ve joined a consulting firm (provides free accommodation) going through some stupid training which I hardly will ever use and knowing that my resume will be faked which is the agreement. I don’t want to have a job that pays me to live in regret and guilt. But what choice do I have? It’s too cold to sleep in the street and I even borrow money to attend an interview. A college degree teaches concepts and no tools. The industry asks for knowledge and experience in specific tools. I believe universities should at least provide training on tools that are most common in the industry for stealing our money (I don’t mean MS Access). If not, employers must be willing to provide training for graduates after hiring them rather than relying on recruiters/consultants/placement agencies who supply workers with fake resumes. If only companies do a serious background check on every employee, trust me, there would be more than twice the layoffs than as it is. |
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| Job Hunter (everywhere) |
on 18 Mar 2008 at 10:15 am |
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Unfortunately I'm in the unenviable position of having little choice but to fake a resume. Having been laid off during the Dot Bomb bubble, then taking on a job with a start-up company that folded, I've got some gaps in my resume. When I was younger, I also made the mistake of relocating with the idea of being closer to family. Six months later I still had no meaningful employment, and had to move back to where I was previously living, and had a job within a month. Here it is ten years later, and after starting a successful small business and finding my niche, my wife was recently force transferred to the west coast for her job. I had no choice but to sell my business, and relocate.
I've worked a dead end commission only sales job since relocating, but had to quit because I was driving 2000 miles a month on my own dime and not making any money.
So what is someone like me that has had some bad luck supposed to do? It has now been a year since we moved, and all I have to show for it are a few months experience at a dead end job I made no money at. I need to work, and I'm capable. No one is going to give me a shot unless I massage things a good bit on my resume. If they are going to judge my life based on a piece of paper, I'll tell them what they want to hear. I don't enjoy the potential embarrassment of getting caught in a lie, but I have to take that chance. If I get caught I'll move on to the next opportunity.
If someone is going to judge me and my accomplishments from a single paper, |
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| jeffreywpadgett (Christiansburg Virginia) |
on 25 Feb 2008 at 10:28 pm |
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| Here in Va. employers don't want experience. They want some green dumbass kid who is book smart and can sit for their p.e. in a few months. They throw money at them and a whole room full of the little dummies can't make a decision |
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| Construction Executive (Roanoke Texas) |
on 23 Feb 2008 at 10:22 am |
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I believe we should always tell the truth, regardless of the situation. There is no such thing as a little white lie.
I do not believe that a degree is a substitute for experience. |
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| K. B (DALLAS) |
on 22 Feb 2008 at 10:30 am |
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| I think the worst thing to experience is going to college for 4 to 6 years and graduating only to be told you have no experience. How do you get experience if no one is willing to give you a shot. Now you have no job and thousands of student loans. Everythign seems to be about who you know. Why go to college if you can't get a job afterwords. |
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| Mark Lutz (Naples Florida) |
on 19 Feb 2008 at 7:38 am |
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| I don't think lying about your job history is right. Although for myself it's a little frustrating. I have over 30 years in the construction industry, from being a grunt to a boss. I have not had that many jobs in my life. I work hard and stay with a company out of loyalty. I do think the one person above is right though, don't be loyal, be looking all the time. I hate it but that's business now a days. How many people do you really know that have stayed with a company and retired with that company. Very, very few. Honesty, yes, keep your eyes open, absolutely. |
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| Collin J. Roller (Riverview Florida) |
on 11 Feb 2008 at 9:21 am |
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| I've never lied on a resume because of the fear of being found out. That doesn't mean it hasn't crossed my mind out of frustration. I was in the Air Force for 20 years, and all I heard my whole career was "as a military member, you're getting the skills employers want". What a bunch of hooey! They don't care what kind of leader you were. If you don't have the skill for a particular position, you're just another person who got out of the military. I'm not asking for special treatment, but at least talk with me so I can try to sell myself. Only one company gave me a chance as a former military member. I got a job with and became a homebuilder. Got pretty good at it too, but as soon as the market dipped, we were let go with zero severance. Sorry to ramble, but feels good to get this off my chest. |
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| Barbara Sanders (Savannah Georgia) |
on 29 Jan 2008 at 1:59 pm |
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| Believe in yourself. See yourself actually doing that job for that company. Also, do your homework and don't let them see you sweat!! |
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| DD (Michigan) |
on 29 Jan 2008 at 1:08 pm |
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| Obviously a job requiring 10 to 15 years of experience is not intended for the 22 year old just graduating from college... |
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| Brian O'Donnell (Minneapolis MN) |
on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:55 am |
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| As an engineering recruiter I always say "if there is anything that is not right on this resume, now is the time to tell me". A good recruiter can deal with issues that you may have and also deal with it up front, right away and not at the point of a job offer. Find a good recruiter and tell them your concerns. |
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| ITSWHOUKNOW (Charleston, SC) |
on 05 Jan 2008 at 9:55 am |
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Been in the work force for 30 years now and the plain truth is "it's who you know, not what you know". Of course that said one has to has the ability to actually do the job but with enough motivation one can usually figure it out. So how important do resumes become?? My take is, in all but the most technical, not very important?
Signed,
I only know small people in low places....oh well no one ever said it was going to be fair! |
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| Avery Jones (Tampa) |
on 02 Jan 2008 at 3:58 pm |
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| Korte, I disagree. Online job searching is the wave of the future. You are crazy if you think companies are still using newspapers to advertise their jobs. |
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| Kyle Korte (SYLVANIA Ohio) |
on 28 Dec 2007 at 6:37 am |
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| I feel its almost impossible to land your dream job online... |
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| Ralph Douglas (Atlanta Georgia) |
on 21 Dec 2007 at 7:05 pm |
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| I maynot be the only one but, one of the most serious things we must all take into consideration is who you know.The HR manger will pull your application if the hring manger wants you there. I also have been embrared with this other scenario where I don't have a dergree in Constrcution Management, but know more than the other guy who went to a top name institution. Also some of the companies that write the job description don't even have the experience they are looking for. When attend job fairs they take your perosnal information to be used as Scondary data to report for the PPI and CPI Index. My real scenario to this are as follows they are programs called FCIP for those who have degres. Most of the time these programs are kept hidden form thepublic and the gov't has certain hring agendas.They will not advertise at all but they want you to sek employment.Maybe soem of us should start really asking are they any jobs in themarket and also was it worth going to colleg to be told NO! Shame on America when you have real professioanl in this country but you are outsourcing contractors with no degre no skills , nothing to compete with fellow Americans and skillful veterans.The reason I am writing this I am a statistic of this great nation that will put us in harms way and cannot even find a job to take care of your familiy.Is this not a shame. |
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| Joey (Charlotte, NC) |
on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:49 pm |
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| What if you have something negative in your past that would typically preclude you from the job anyway? A termination for theft? A series of dead end positions? Are you a new graduate with any work experience? (a sin in the workforce)A little jail term? Maybe you just haven't found the right spot yet? Heck, we all need to work. If someone goes into a job with the dedication and desire to make it work, they will make it. Sometimes the trick is to tell the gatekeeper in HR what they need to hear so you can move on with your life.... |
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| R Titus (Phoenix, AZ) |
on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:36 pm |
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| If you're willing to lie on your resume then you'd also better be willing to get caught. Once you're found to be a lier up front no employer will run the risk of hiring you. The obvious reason is that if you lie to get in the door, what will you do after you're given responsibilities and trust. If you run short on your qualifications then my best advice is to practice on your skills for the interview. Face to face allows the interviewer to know you, at least a little. |
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| MISTERellaneous (nashville) |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 3:18 pm |
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| For my current job I made a few small lies about job duties and what-not.....the background check company called my references and thankfully my last boss was my buddy so he covered for me and I got my job. That 4 hour window of being scared was enough to scare me straight as far as lying for a job. (PS I did get a niiiiice jump in base however!!) |
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| Brent Miller (Dallas, Texas ) |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 1:46 pm |
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You have to be very careful on your resume. I made a few minor tweaks to my dates of employment and added a degree when I was only a few hours short not thinking anyone would notice. To my suprise after I recieved my dream job offer it was recinded a couple of days later saying my degree and dates of employment did not match. I was never more embarassed in my life.
So trust me do not put anything on your resume that is not true. Learn from my mistakes! |
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| Captain Edward (Midwest) |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 11:21 am |
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HR people cannot always ask all the right questions, but they tend not to ask the right questions. I have found that a number of companies are only looking for date on who they can get for the job, how many people and about 40% of the applications filed are sold to other people to sell you a degree or a business. I have even applied for positions that the companies only interest is to sell you classes in the field that you have been twice as long as they have been in business.
I also like to see the adv that talks about what to do in your free time. example: take a boat ride, have a great pizza, shop the great stores in the area. By using these terms, they have just found people looking for boat captains, boat sales, pizza makers, pizza delivery, retail sales, secret shoppers, car dealers.
The terms listed above are mostly used by the medical profession. Do they feel that doctor are so dumb that they don't know what to do with there free time. |
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| ADM (orlando,FL) |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 11:16 am |
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| who cares what HR thinks, most companies treat you like your cattle and will lay you off at the drop of a hat, and after years of service throw you out on your ass with 3 weeks severance pay. whatever is takes to put food on your table is worth it. |
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| A. Johnson |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 11:03 am |
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I lied on my resume and lost the job at the last possible moment - after receiving an offer.
All I can say is it wasn't worth it. I would have gotten the job anyway. |
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| A. Maszerowski (Orlando Fl) |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 10:44 am |
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| A recruiter looks a a resume for about 3 seconds. It's the face to face interview that lands you the job. I'm 57 and I've had 100's of jobs in my life. From New York to California. Always TELL the TRUTH. |
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| TMB (Warrenton, VA) |
on 19 Dec 2007 at 10:15 am |
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Time wounds all Heels....
Always, just do the work. you will be recognized! |
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| MGM (Naokes) |
on 14 Dec 2007 at 10:07 am |
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| I believe the percentages of liars are higher than this. |
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| Rosco (Boston) |
on 13 Dec 2007 at 3:16 pm |
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| It is not the most qualified, rather he who lies the best! |
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| Bruce A Nemanic (Pleasant Hill, Ca. 94523 Califor) |
on 13 Dec 2007 at 12:30 am |
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| Good character in a person always shows eventually and good people can and usually do get accepted in with good company. |
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| LB (Minneapolis/St Paul) |
on 06 Dec 2007 at 11:59 am |
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| We are often looking for someone fresh. They bring new perspectives and recent technology to the position. We are never looking for someone dishonest. |
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| E. Ralphsy (Houston Tx.) |
on 05 Dec 2007 at 4:07 pm |
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| If only employers could asked only those things achievable, rather than, like 10 to 15yrs experience. Where in the world could a 22yrs old, just graduating from college could get such experience inorder to land his first job, everybody needs to be given a chance, some people grow up while in the job. Most of the people you find in a job, arrive there through man know man, the rest of us need to be given a chance, not untill we lie. |
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