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Most Popular Lies Employees Used on Their Resumes

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Don’t Get Caught In a Resume Lie!

In the United States, almost half of all job applicants admit that they’ve falsified at least some of the information that was on their resume. The risk of being found out are definitely outweighed by the reward of getting that dream job – especially if someone has been unemployed for several years and unemployment benefits are running out. The problem is that a vast majority of people lie about the same 5 things on their resume, which means these are the 5 things that are double and triple-checked the most by a potential employer. Avoid these pitfalls and you’ll have a better chance of landing that job you want!

Lie #1: False Compensation

One of the most common ways people lie on a resume is that they say they received more money in their previous jobs than they actually did. This is done to show an interviewer that there is a lot of value that comes in hiring them for that open position. The problem with this lie is that it often backfires immediately, especially if the expected compensation for the open position is less than what was quoted on the resume in a lie. You can avoid this by not including this information whatsoever.

Lie #2: Exaggerated Embellishments

To make themselves look like more productive members of a team environment, typical job tasks are often given the fondness of embellishment and are often more exaggerated than what they normally would be. If someone processed credit applications, for example, the resume might reflect the “fact” that an employee assisted companies with credit problems so that they could secure a proper level of financing. Job duties don’t need to be on a resume either – just talk about what the expectations were in previous positions.

Lie #3: Improved Skill Sets

If a dream job requires that someone speak Spanish, it’s easy to check that box that says “Spanish – Fluent.” The problem is that these skill sets are often tested in the interviewing environment and the actual skill level someone has becomes quickly known. If you don’t know how to drive a forklift, don’t say that you do. It’s better to not get a job because of the lack of a skill than to be fired because your primary skill was lying about the skills you have.

Lie #4: Inflated Credentials

Employers are looking for college graduates more than ever these days. On that thought, only about a quarter of the active workforce actually has a bachelor’s degree! With printing technology, it’s easy to even replicate a diploma, but it’s not so easy to forge official transcripts, which many employers are starting to ask for in order to verify claims. If you don’t have an education, don’t claim that you do.

Lie #5: Fact Fudging

When seeking employment, it’s easy to turn “I was fired from my last job,” to “We mutually agreed to part ways.” From responsibilities to awards and other successes, a few little twists of information here or there seems realistic. Many potential employers will contact former employers for references and many employees don’t realize that they’ve signed a complete release of information at their last job.

The truth will always come out, one way or another. It is better to be honest and find the job that is right for you than to take advantage of the first open door that you happen to see. Lies on an application can create the reputation of dishonesty that can stay with you in a community for a long, long time. That can make it hard to get any job! That’s why honesty will always be the best policy.

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