Can I lie on my resume?

Can I lie on my resume is a question that has undoubtedly been on every jobseeker’s mind! After all, we are supposed to show our best selves in a resume and who doesn’t want to embellish a bit?

As a matter of fact, it’s only human and it seems so benign to do it, wouldn’t you agree? And who will ever know? Other than you, of course.

First thing first – there’s a huge difference between lying and having an angle, making something sound just a bit better than it really is. One can bring awful consequences while the other gently pushes you forward, without any harm to anyone.

Let’s take a closer look.

 

Can I lie on my resume about my work experience?

Surely you know what we are going to say. Don’t lie about your work experience in terms of making up employment, companies, or positions. Regardless of what good it could bring in the short term, think about the long term as well. If the employer finds out you lied, they can fire you for your dishonesty.

 

However, if you want to change the role title from the one that’s in your contract because something else corresponds to the job ad – go for it. As long as your duties were the same, it doesn’t matter if you say you were an Admin Officer or Office Clerk. If something as simple as job title change can bring you closer to the interview, we are all for it! This is semantics and it cannot hurt anyone. Besides, you’re not lying about anything.

Then again, if you worked as a Warehouse Operator and you want to say you were an Admin Officer, that’s questionable and we wouldn’t recommend it. Anything that is far from the truth should be avoided. Hopefully, you understand the approach here.

 

How can the employer find out I lied on my resume about work experience?

There are actually multiple reasons how the employer can find out you lied.

Firstly, if the dates don’t add up. If you made up an experience and you forgot to adjust the dates.

Secondly, if you’re asked a job-specific question at an interview and you struggle to answer.

Thirdly, if you’re given a skill-based or competencies test and you fail. Naturally, it will be clear you lied.

Fourthly, your references don’t confirm what you shared in the recruitment process.

And lastly, if you stumble at any moment during your time with the company. Imagine having to hide the truth for 5 years. Surely, at some point, you are going to slip and the truth will come out.

 

Can I lie on my resume about my education?

Again, we have to say a very firm no if we’re talking about saying you have a degree when you don’t. It is very easy to check with the university and you’d be caught lying on a resume in no time.

 

If we’re talking about something small, almost insignificant like embellishing your involvement in the students’ club, then it is maybe ok. It really depends on your situation.

 

How can the employer find out I lied on my resume about education?

This one is more straightforward than the work experience one.

Your qualifications can be quickly checked and for this reason, you will be caught. Employers do Google searches, get in touch with universities and check your social media. If the data doesn’t match, you’re going to be in trouble.

What can I do then?

Well, when it comes to resume writing, we advise keeping it clean. Don’t share anything that could come back to haunt you.

The difference between having an angle and plain lying is huge. Think carefully about what will happen if you lie on a resume.

 

That all being said, if you do have trouble finding the right words to describe yourself, do get in touch. We can definitely help. If you’d like to learn everything there is about resume writing, get our step-by-step writing guide here. Simply follow the principles outlined in it and see how you start getting replies to your applications.

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