MOST COMMON RESUME LIES
It's a tough job market, and in an attempt to be more competitive, some jobseekers do something that is not only unethical, but also can be illegal: They lie on their resume. Oh, in their minds they justify by saying it's only a little white lie. Or an exaggeration. Or an embellishment. But no matter the semantics, it's still fraud. Fully 46 percent of job applicants commit some form of resume fraud, according to ADP, a human capital management and research firm. The top 10 resume lies, according to Marquet International, a security consulting firm:
- Stretching work dates
- Inflating past accomplishments and skills
- Enhancing job titles and responsibilities
- Exaggerating educational background
- Inventing periods of "self-employment" to cover up unemployment
- Omitting past employment
- Faking credentials
- Falsifying reasons for leaving prior employment
- Providing false references
- Misrepresenting a military record
Is it worth lying on your resume? The answer is no. So, before you commit resume fraud, consider that lying about your education is illegal in some states. You not only face a stiff penalty, but also a loss of your personal credibility. Employers in every state can fire you with the snap of a finger if they catch you in any resume lie. The chance of getting caught in a resume lie is very high. Thanks to the digital age, verifying information is easier and faster than ever. Nearly 96 percent of all employers conduct background checks on prospective employees.
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