Honesty is the Best Policy in Résumés and Interviews

2012-05-22
From: MSN Careers
When Jessica* couldn’t provide a hard copy of her degree to a potential employer, the company contacted the college itself. A background check confirmed that Jessica was one class short of earning her degree. Despite the false claim, the hiring manager employed Jessica, only to terminate her shortly thereafter for performance problems.
Not all candidates are as lucky as Jessica to get a second chance after getting caught lying on their reacutesumeacute: 57 percent of employers automatically dismiss applicants who fabricate any part of their reacutesumeacutes, according to a July 2008 survey byCareerBuilder.com. But, as millions of people search for jobs in the tough employment market, candidates like Jessica are going to extremes — like lying on their reacutesumeacutes — to stand out to employers.
Although only 8 percent of the 8,700 workers surveyed admitted to lying on their reacutesumeacutes, 49 percent of the 3,100 hiring managers have caught a job applicant fabricating some part of his or her reacutesumeacute.
quotEven the slightest embellishment can come back to haunt you and ruin your credibility,quot says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder.com. quotIf you’re concerned about gaps in employment, your academic background or skill sets, invention is not the answer.quot
Compelling reasons
The bleak job forecast has sent many job seekers into panic mode, but desperation is not a valid reason for lying to get ahead of the competition. Not only are your falsehoods likely to catch up with you eventually, but the long-term consequences far outweigh the short-term rewards.
quotIt’s [never] OK to lie or embellish a reacutesumeacute or application. It can cost you your license, your job, your salary, your reputation, your credibility and your freedom,quot says Lisa Mininni, president of Excellerate Associates, an organizationalconsultingcompany. quotIt is not only unfair to the countless other honest candidates, but to employees who work with this employee. It is a matter of integrity even in the face of adversity.quot
It seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how job seekers have convinced themselves that it’s OK to embellish the facts. Jessica, for example, blamed it on a friend’s advice to indicate that she had a degree she took none of the responsibility herself.
quotPassing the buck or a lapse in good judgment is no excuse [for lying]. It is your reacutesumeacute, so carefully consider the content,quot Mininni says.
Here are a few reasons why she says people lie on their reacutesumeacutes or in an interview:

middot They overanalyze a past employment issue and think it’s worse than it actually is, so they try to cover it up.

middot They think it is easier to lie than to explain it, acknowledge it or accept responsibility for it.

middot In an interview, people sometimes have difficulty coming up with an example when asked. Instead, they try to make something up rather than admitting they don’t have one.

When it comes to deception in your job search, there are certain areas that are more common to embellish than others. Here are areas job seekers fib about and why, plus ways you can get around being deceitful:
Dates of employment
Why job seekers lie:People think it’s necessary to cover up or omit potentially negative employment situations like gaps between jobs or short-term employment, Mininni says.
How to spin it:Address discrepancies about dates of employment in your cover letter. Be honest about what you did during the breaks between employments and identify any relevant transferable skills you learned during that time.
quotIf you’ve only spent one month at a job, it should still be included in your employment history,quot Mininni says. More employers are conducting background checks and/or confirming dates of employment, so take a paragraph in your cover letter to say that you’re looking for a job where you can really thrive and grow professionally — you just haven’t found it yet.
Education
Whyjob seekers lie:There are many lies job seekers tell abouteducation: alleging that they attended college when they didn’t declaring a degree at a school they never went to or claiming to have a degree at all when they really never finished college.
How to spin it:quotCompanies are looking for the value you bring to the organization and often have ‘or equivalent’ statements in their job requirements,quot Mininni says. quotIf you have the equivalent amount of experience in lieu of a degree, you will want to highlight that experience.quot
If you went to college but didn’t finish, don’t focus on the lack of a degree. Instead, outline other education you acquired through professional certifications or company-sponsored education, she suggests.
Experience, accomplishments and job titles
Whyjob seekerslie:People often inflate previous experience, undertakings and job titles whenthey apply for jobs where they aren’t qualified, Mininni says. quotIt’s interesting how many people don’t know their actual titles,quot she says.quotIf you don’t know, don’t guess. Ask yourmanager.quot
How to spin it: quotIf you don’t have the required experience, focus on your natural talents. Are you known as the idea generator, the communicator or the process improver?This will be important to highlight and provide examples of how you have demonstrated those natural talents and how it aided the company,quot Mininni says.
Salaries
Whyjob seekerslie:Candidates inflate their salaries in an effort increase their starting offers, Mininni says.Unfortunately, upon checking, the employer discovers the exaggeration.
How to spin it:Keep in mind the responsibilities of the position, the scope and the job market. If you’ve stayed at your company for 25 years and haven’t received market increases, you may be behind the market. Researching what the current market pays is critical in knowing your leverage points when it comes time to talk salary.
Criminal history
Whyjob seekerslie:Some people lie through omission because the extent of their criminal record is a misdemeanor assault charge from high school. Others lie about more serious offenses. Perhaps they had a drug problem and got theirnursinglicense taken away, or they were jailed for embezzlement.
How to spin it:Own up to the situation or use that experience to reinvent yourself, Mininni says. Look for jobs that don’t tie in to your criminal background — for example, if you had drug issues, don’t try to work in medicine, and if you embezzled, don’t work with money. Learn to use your skills in different ways and sell that to the employer.
Consider these tips when working with potential deal-breakers on your reacutesumeacute:

middot Highlight your achievements.quotOne [fault] does not negate the entire career. Highlight your achievements making sure to note the result your initiatives had on the organization,quot Mininni says.

middot Be prepared for the interview.If you have any blips on your reacutesumeacute, be prepared to answer questions. Always be able to discuss what you learned from the situation. quotIn a tight job market, one blemish doesn’t necessarily rule you out of a job, but polished interviewing skills and dressing for success become increasingly important especially if you have to overcome a tarnished history,quot Mininni says.

middot Network.If someone can recommend you, it goes a long way to getting the interview — even if you have a conviction on your application, Mininni says. quotMake sure your network is broad and outside of your comfort-zone network. If you’re just out of college, make sure there is more than just your college roommate on your reference list and in your network,quot she says.

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