A I Lied on My Resume and Got the Job

I Lied on My Resume and Got the Job

We often think of the lie as an act of deception. But there are plenty of stories of lies that end up being brilliant moves with amazing results. Why should we only think of the lie as something negative? This post is an attempt to explore a different angle on the topic of lying in your career.

Year

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Two years out of college and already sitting in the C-suite? Expect an interviewer to ask some pointed questions about your responsibilities to make sure you’re actually telling the truth about your title. Inflated job titles will also come to light if the prospective employer calls your ex-boss to confirm your past employment. That’s when the promotion you gave yourself from marketing intern to senior marketing manager is going to be revealed.

Kathleen Steffey, founder and chief talent officer for Naviga Recruiting, starts us off with her no-nonsense take: “There are no instances where lying would be justified. If you lie on a resume or application, there are so many easy ways that the employer can find out if the applicant is lying, especially through references and formal background checks. However, I do suggest that there are instances where information shouldn’t be disclosed up front to prevent discrimination—for example, year of graduation.” (Source: zety.com)

Truth

Two years out of college and already sitting in the C-suite? Expect an interviewer to ask some pointed questions about your responsibilities to make sure you’re actually telling the truth about your title. Inflated job titles will also come to light if the prospective employer calls your ex-boss to confirm your past employment. That’s when the promotion you gave yourself from marketing intern to senior marketing manager is going to be revealed.

Given the relative ease of digging up the truth and the unpleasant potential outcomes of lying to a new employer, it's hard to believe that anyone would risk putting false information in a resume. However, we've all heard the phrase "desperate times call for desperate measures." It's true that tough economic times make some people resort to risky behavior. However, this creates an unfair advantage over honest, legitimate candidates who aren't lying on their resumes. For those who are considering providing false information to a potential employer, the risks are not worth the benefits. There are honest ways to deal with absences from the workplace, incomplete degrees, or even dismissals from previous jobs that won't hurt your chances of getting a new job. (Source: www.investopedia.com)