If you’ve ever been tempted to exaggerate on your resume, you’re certainly not alone. According to some estimates, more than half of all resumes contain falsehoods.
As one of Dade County’s top employment agencies, Future Force can tell you there’s nothing wrong with trying to position yourself in the best possible light. But it is a big problem when you lie. It won’t take much for a hiring manager to find out – pushing you out of the running for what could be an ideal job.
Is it really worth it? Probably not.
So what are some areas that hiring managers generally look to verify what a candidate is telling them is true? Here’s a look at 5:
1. Stretching Dates of Employment
Saying you were on the job for less than a year can certainly make you look like a job hopper or like you can’t commit. But don’t stretch your employment dates to avoid this or other issues such as employment gaps. All it takes is one phone call to a past employer to verify this information.
2. Misrepresenting Job Titles
This is another detail that’s incredibly easy for hiring manager to check on. It can be tempting to exaggerate a job title to make yourself appear higher up in a company or more experienced.
But if you do get hired, your new employer will expect you to be able to fulfill the role and responsibilities you said you could. If you lie about your past experience, how can you be sure you can perform to their expectations?
3. Making Up Degrees or Educational Experience
It’s frustrating when a job posting requires a college or advanced degree you don’t have, even when you know you could do the work. But the answer isn’t to lie on your resume about education.
Instead, if you feel like you’re qualified for the position, apply anyway and give specific examples why you’d be a good hire for the position in your cover letter and resume.
4. Providing Fake References
Once you’re in the running for the job, most hiring managers will want to check your references. You’re simply setting yourself up for failure when you coach family or friends to act as “references.” Even if you never do get caught, you’ll have to deal with covering up your lie and always worrying about whether you will eventually.
5. Lying About Skill Level
Lying about your abilities is one of the worst things you can do on your resume. If you’re that desperate to land a certain job, then enroll in a class or the take necessary steps to gain the skills you need. Regardless, when you lie about skills, most hiring managers will spot your dishonesty a mile away in an interview.
Remember, no employers expect you to be perfect. But by being dishonest on your resume, you’ll either get caught or always be looking over your shoulder.
Looking for more help with your job search? Call Future Force. As one of Dade County’s top employment agencies, we can give you the inside scoop on getting hired at some of the area’s leading companies. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started or search our Dade County jobs now.