Mark Twain said "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." That man had a way of cutting to the core of the matter! I rarely say "never," preferring to leave doors open for the unexpected scenario, this is one time that I can say never without reservation: You are never justified lying on a resume, or in a job interview.
I can hear the many "buts" issuing forth from many mouths at this very moment. "But I was fired...I was let go with cause...the new boss didn't like me and pushed me out...I did this that and the other thing!!" Here's a news flash: you're not the only one. Indeed I too was fired (not for cause), told the truth when asked during an interview, and went on to land a good job. There are many good reasons not to lie, starting with ethics and morals, and ending with what happens when (not if) you are caught.
Here are a few considerations for those considering lying.
Google-mania
In this day of "Googling", one can find out all manner of information on just about anyone, and it is becoming more and more common to do so. Recruiters in particular are turning to on-line searches prior to making job offers.
In a medium-sized Canadian city, a CAO was released from his position on the very day he was to start because of information unearthed during a "Google" search - information that was pertinent to his and the city's situation, but that he had neglected to share. It became such a public event that it is unlikely this man will ever escape the notoriety. Last I heard, he was employed as a CAO in a third world country.
Research shows that HR and recruiters are actively turning to the web to research candidates, and career practitioners are increasingly recommending that their clients conduct a "self-Google" to see what, if anything, turns up. It is up to each of us to manage our on-line personas!
Requests for Transcripts and other Background Materials
Apparently, people do "creatively embellish" their resumes. Varying research shows that lying is on the rise, and ranges from lying about length of employ, titles, duties performed, credentials - each and every category has apparently been falsified. And Human Resource professionals admit to finding inaccuracies on over half of the resumes they receive. These perceived "little white lies" can and do destroy reputations. Lying on a formal document is never advised. Employers do background checks and may request transcripts as well. Keep your reputation in tact.
Employment history can be strategically dealt with in a resume. Gaps are not out of the ordinary, and having a work gap is not "the kiss of death" as far as securing employment goes.
Reduced Credibility, Lost Trust, True Disaster
Once a lie has been discovered, your credibility is gone. People then wonder what else you have lied about. Once trust is gone, it takes time to rebuild, if you are even given that time. Truth is, first opportunity the company has to justify downsizing, who do you think management will look to get rid of?
The Solution? A Strategized Resume.
A strategized resume resolves many of the issues that lead some to lie or embellish. A good resume writer can develop a resume that showcases talents, energy, knowledge, efforts and results in such a compelling fashion that the potential employer gets excited about interviewing the candidate! In fact, a good writer can "sell" a client without the use of one adjective or adverb. No "excellent" or "dynamic." Just truthful, to-the-point statements about challenges met, projects tackled, results earned, and changes made. Interested to see such a resume? Please feel free to email me for a sample; I would be happy to share. Or look for more in a future article.
In the meantime, remember that in resumes and interviews, truth is the best policy, and requires no additional memory.
