Resume Misrepresentation - A Bad Idea
By Chet Baker
When I sit down with a job seeker to discuss what the best
résumé should include, how it will look, and we outline
the skills, core values and accomplishments, I make it clear
that the end product is “owned” by the
client.
What I mean by this is that I’ll craft the summary
statement, probe for skills and accomplishments the candidate might
be overlooking; I’ll format appealing, easy-to-read pages,
and write all of these features in strong, accurate sentence
structure. But the bottom line is that the value of the data,
the presentation document is a product of information solely
provided by and confirmed by the applicant.
Those who hire employees on a professional level or recruit
know how misrepresentation on a resume can damage the candidate and
entangle the recruiter in a frightening mess.
Misrepresentation usually falls into two catagories:
- Making blatant false or misleading statements
- Omission of significant details about background or work
history
- One of the most commonly-caught misrepresentations is stretching dates to cover employment date gaps. This is one of the easiest to catch, since all companies are obligated to give employment dates, but not obligated to give other supporting OR negative information.
- Showing degrees or technical skills or certifications that aren’t real is another big mistake. Again, easy to catch.
- Exaggerating accomplishments, responsibilities, and titles are typical lies. In most cases exaggerating or lying is the lazy way to try and capture dazzle in your value. Good creative writing with accurate details is a much better way to state your credentials.
- And finally, some even make up fake employers.
Here’s what any candidate writing a résumé
should know. More and more companies are including a
statement that any false or misleading representation during the
application process or the failure to disclose an important detail
will immediately disqualify the candidate from further
consideration of getting hired. Here's the irony. If you just tell
the truth and you have the job description covered, the things that
you try to cover up won’t affect your candidacy much if
any.
The sophisticated companies are getting better at finding
fraudulence. Don’t get caught. Fabrications will
eventually catch up with you. It’s stupid. Background check
companies are proliferating. Companies are finding out it’s
more economical to invest a little into deep background checks than
to make a quick hire of a short-cutting, cheating employee that
won’t stop at just fabricating on the application
process.
There is no need to cheat!
There is nothing wrong with putting the best possible face on
your skills, abilities and experience. You don't have to resort to
lying to win a job. There are ethical ways to address issues like
job-hopping, employment gaps, minimal work experience, lack of or
incomplete college credentials, being fired or having a criminal
record. So, don’t even think of misrepresenting
yourself. There are ways of making the résumé outstanding
without resorting to hiding things or fabricating. If you
don’t know how, ask a Certified Professional
Resume Writer to help you. And remember, you own your
résumé and everything contained within it. Be proud of it
and who you are.
And if you want to get ahead of the game and become verified
as accurate going in on an application or interview, consider this
brand new website -http://preverify.com/ .
Check it out. It just might help by being proactive with this
pre-verification of your background.
It's FREE yet exceptionally creative and
forward thinking on any candidates part.
