When you land an interview with a company, the deciding factor was probably your resume—specifically, the types of skills and experiences you included on it. But, what if you lied on your resume?
<p>Lying on your resume can come back to bite you in the hiring process. It can hinder your job search and cause more problems down the line if you <em>do </em>get hired. If you're considering lying on your resume, here's why you should think twice. </p>
Why Do People Lie On Resumes?
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0ODMxMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MDU1MzQ0MX0.CB-pmHtryOOlp_-S8rB-E43QvIxFuqm8-dFXD-whHo8/img.jpg?width=980" id="f7cc6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="45cb6e3444d7cf2a301b5d5e6c0c987f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Woman thinking about lying on her resume" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>Most job seekers lie on their job applications and resumes because they are worried that they can't get hired based on the facts.</p><p>You <em>can</em> get hired with your current qualifications. Have faith—there is a job somewhere out there for you. However, it may not be as grand a role as you'd like if you haven't earned your stripes in the trenches yet.</p><p>It's important to know your genuine strengths and to leverage them accordingly. It's your job to sell yourself to potential employers in your resume and in your job interview. You're a business-of-one, after all. Lying about qualifications to get ahead faster, though, will only put you in harm's way.</p><p>Employers won't always know if you've lied on your resume or are faking your way through a <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/stand-out-new-job" target="_blank">new job</a>. But if they figure it out, you are back to square one. And you've been fired.</p><p>One TV broadcaster in Toronto, Canada, for example, was fired over 10 years after he was hired purely for lying about completing his education. Marilee Jones was an ambitious academic administrator who attained the position of Dean of Admissions at MIT on the false claim of an undergraduate degree that had never been completed. She was promptly fired after the information was discovered. Some companies will go ahead with verifying your employment, find out you've lied, and never tell you. They just won't hire you—and they'll flag you as "Do Not Hire"...ever. Let's avoid that.</p>What To Do If You've Lied On Your Resume
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0ODM0My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NjUwNDA2Nn0.1kmiSGc8s6rkfme6Qt1etNHAHKAIXJ-eqrLMpMcA9Dg/img.jpg?width=980" id="fb674" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="141d1ee33371d9c88ad6c4c404863377" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Man stressed about lying on his resume" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>So, what can you do if you've lied on your job application or your resume?</p><p>Do you try to bluff your way through for 10 years or more? On the job application form, did you tell them about your misdemeanor felony conviction—if not, then when? How can you handle this without losing out on the job?</p>1. Withdraw Your Application
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0ODM1Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MjQyNjk4NH0.xjqqLBbfImHEdNSktVrKOXKGQ9YGqbIjag_haWAiFL4/img.jpg?width=980" id="05402" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4da7469b9a69097103deda4ed8d704ad" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Woman withdraws her dishonest job application" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>This is your safest option. Simply call and say you are "withdrawing your application at this time." If asked for a reason, tell them you've "reconsidered your application."</p><p>That's the truth.</p><p>They may assume the timing, title, or money isn't right or that you have another <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/turn-down-job-offer" target="_blank">job offer</a> or you heard something that makes you think it's not the right company for you. That's all okay.</p>2. Revise Your Resume & Ask The Hiring Manager To Refer The New Copy
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0ODM4NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNTc1MzIwNn0.LaCFka3kHHy2429ijO_jzRnzgDFJy4WQqEAnqSBIeSo/img.jpg?width=980" id="717b3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="05daf5157cd664a3c13ae1e0a0f593a6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Man thinking about when he lied on his resume" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>In this case, you can tell them you "noticed some errors" and "want to correct them." Note that this won't work if you've created jobs or performance claims that were exaggerated. However, you can truthfully state that you want to be "more exact," if you wish. They may assume you had someone else <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/resume-formatting-tips" target="_blank">write your resume</a> and the errors were theirs. </p><p>That said, this isn't always going to work.</p>3. Come Clean
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0ODI5Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3Mjk2ODE2NX0.Qf0eyIVB7_EWjm4Td1d_mt5p53vrgxy1lgiauPjy_AE/img.jpg?width=980" id="c1b29" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fc1c6e65f2759a70990f853532b388a0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Woman stressed about lying on her resume" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>This may mean you lose out on the job opportunity, but sometimes people have big hearts. There's a good chance they are going to find out about the lie(s) anyway through reference checks or your own social media presence (like<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> LinkedIn</a>).</p><p>Provide a corrected resume or job application and tell them the truth. In life, we need to own up to our mistakes and learn from them. Tell them that, too—that you made a mistake and you want to make it right. It's a sign of good character to do that. People make mistakes, especially under pressure (and needing a job is a lot of pressure).</p><p>It's best not to end up in this position, but if the deed is done, these are the top three ways of fixing the problem.</p>How To Avoid The Problem
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0671c6707962ba7ca7a96f960a720a1f"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WATpBoVprRk?start=18&rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>You can explain <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/how-to-explain-job-gap-resume" target="_blank">job gaps</a> and sudden departures from school or a former job in the interview. If you have a criminal record, and that would include any DUIs, be upfront about it or call immediately to tell them you neglected to mention it and would like to "set the record straight."</p><p>Some things are not automatic barriers to employment—but lying about them may be.</p><a href="https://workitdaily.lpages.co/free-resume-samples-mistakes/" ><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg0NzA3My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTQ2ODI3NX0.HzmgKI8i5zyhpxCPKnvzEyIadxufbcmr7VBnMEb1nlU/img.png?width=980" id="6b977" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="46195ccf3dad908fa71ef063071fccd0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Download Work It Daily\u2019s free resume mistakes guide" data-width="506" data-height="506" /></a><p>Now is the time to change your resume and social media profiles such as LinkedIn, so you never have to worry about this again. Do it today so if your dream job opens up tomorrow, you are polished and ready to <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/how-to-stand-out-applying-online" target="_blank">stand out to employers</a> on your own merit.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Need more help with your resume? We're here for you!</strong></p><p>Check out our <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/resources" target="_self">FREE resources</a> page and <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/virtual-career-events-free-premium" target="_self">Live Events Calendar</a>.</p><p>Or, join our <a href="https://workitdaily.lpages.co/pricing/" target="_blank">career growth club</a> today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!</p><p>If you want FREE career advice in your inbox, <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/career-advice-newsletter" target="_self">subscribe to our newsletter</a> The Daily Dose!</p><p><br></p><p><em>This post was originally published at an earlier date. </em></p>
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