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Lying On A Resume - Accepted?

Should You Hide The Truth On Resume To Get A Job?

Jan 16, 2008 Paym Bergson

Sometimes it's better to hide the truth. If you feel that way, skip this article. Lying has a way of coming back and biting you when you least expect it.

A reader writes with an intriguing dilemma: should one withhold information regarding education or employment?

Note - the letter is printed as is, with one correction [ ].

Q: I am always hearing that you should not lie on your resume. Now, how much of this statement is true. Of course, I know you should not lie anyway from a moral standpoint.

Now, I am not talking about lying in the [sense] of experience, job or education. I was once told that I was overqualified for a position. I thought that was a lame (not good, weak) excuse. In my eyes, if I am overqualified then it means I can perform the job duties without any problems, just my opinion. Maybe in some instance my education has hurt, if that could even be a true statement at all. Well, my question is-should I leave out my education on certain jobs that I am applying for? Should I just omit that I have a Masters or Bachelor degree depending on the job? If so, is that considered lying?

I have always put my education no matter where I was applying. Truthfully, I feel I should not have to lie about my education or be ashamed of it to obtain employment. In reality I do understand that maybe that is what it takes just to obtain certain types of employment.

A: Good for you! Be proud of your accomplishments - be it in education or experience! Usually, one thinks of lying on a Resume to hide bad points. While I never encourage lying, there are ways to show "bad times" in a more upbeat light. To be blunt, any lie, no matter how small, will eventually be found. And once that happens, your integrity and reputation can never fully recover.

Unfortunately, your situation is not unique. What may be happening is that you are applying for jobs that are well below your usual work - this could be due to circumstances of the economy, a lack of appropriate jobs for you, or that you are not reaching high enough in your job search. It doesn't matter though. What does matter is the prospective employer's reaction, or fear. Seeing you are applying for a job you are overqualified for makes them uneasy. In their mind they wonder if you really can do the job, or if they are wasting their time with you - you will just jump ship once a better job comes along.

First, you need to assure them you do not feel superior to the job, or to them. Let them know that while you can do the job you are applying for, you also are looking to trouble shoot the duties; that all jobs are an education and experience in learning, and you hope to bring out the best and most from that particular job. Assure them you are not just filling in time while you look for other work; that you want to grow with that company in whatever form you can. That all jobs are a challenge if looked at from the right perspective - it's the attitude that counts, not the basic job details.

You might also consider looking at jobs that are "above" your qualifications. Often prospective employers will take someone who is low on the specific qualifications but shows a progressive route of education. They know that employee will put in the extra effort to make the job a success, and the company a success with it!

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The copyright of the article Lying On A Resume - Accepted? in Career Advice is owned by Paym Bergson. Permission to republish Lying On A Resume - Accepted? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Lying On A Resume - Accepted?