Lying on your resume?

Have you ever lied on your resume? Have you ever-fabricated information just so you can enhance your work history and be perceived as more credible to a potential employer?

Resume embellishment is not that uncommon. Recent college grads and seasoned professionals can sometimes get creative in the wording of their resumes so they can appear to have more experience and be more attractive for a position they may not be qualified for. {{more}}

People tend to take liberties with their resumes in the following areas.

Job Titles: If you made a few suggestions in the development of a product that does not mean you developed the product. If you were in charge of the team for a day, that does not qualify as management experience. Be careful that your good intentions for yourself do not push you to exaggerate.

Duties and responsibilities: Before you write your resume, write down what you do daily in simply terminology. Words are powerful, so take the time to choose the words that accurately describes what you do. The word assist is not as powerful as instrumental and manage is stronger than supervise.

Achievements and education: Obviously if you are a graduate of a prestigious institution, you have a good chance of impressing an employer and even make valuable connections. If you say you were the salesman of the year that sounds great but is it true and can you produce the results of a top-selling associate?

Employers: Some people make up company names to hide time gaps in their resumes. Regional and international work opportunities have made it easier for job applicants to disguise their work history. With companies starting and going under often, its sometimes hard for hiring manages to properly investigate.

Although lying is not a criminal offense, the repercussions may be worse than a criminal conviction and jail time.

The truth about your resume will eventually be revealed, even if it takes years and when it does your reputation and credibility will be destroyed. In times when companies are becoming more aware of unethical behavior you run the risk of losing your job and potential future job opportunities.

Do you really want to sabotage your career and risk exposure to the scandal and embarrassment that often results when the truth about your resume realized?