Sincerity leads to success: Here’s why lying on a resume is never a good idea

We’ve all been guilty of telling the occasional, innocuous lie at some point. Little white lies leave the lips of myriad individuals on a daily basis in the name of protecting others’ feelings or preserving appearances. Many job seekers can’t help but consider potentially sprinkling in a few such fibs, fabrications, and exaggerations while writing or updating their resume. 

After all, you know you’ll be a great employee so long as you’re given an opportunity, so what’s the harm in a few lies to help you along in the hiring process? 

This line of thinking has sabotaged countless job candidates’ chances of landing a great new gig. In some cases, intentionally deceptive information on a resume can even ruin entire careers and lives. Despite what you may have heard from a foolish coworker or friend offering misguided advice, lying on a resume is never a good idea. Read on to learn more. 

Lying on resumes is surprisingly common 

Some people are more comfortable bending the truth than others, but even those highly experienced in the act of deception will likely be surprised to read just how common dishonesty is among job candidates throughout the hiring process. One recent survey tells us as many as 70% of modern applicants have at least lied on their resume once (37% of that group say they lie quite often).

So what are applicants lying about specifically on their resumes? Well, not all that dissimilar to Dwight’s never ending quest to claim the title of Assistant Regional Manager over his actual role as Assistant to the Regional Manager on The Office TV series, 52% of surveyed workers say they usually embellish or pump up prior job titles and responsibilities. Another 45% tend to exaggerate how many people they’ve managed, and 37% overstate how long they’ve worked for certain employers. 

Why you should never lie on your resume

Sometimes shortcuts are great. When you’re running late for an appointment and know a back alley way of getting around town and avoiding traffic, for example. At the same time, though, shortcuts rarely work out when it comes to building a successful, stable career. Imagine your career is a big Victorian house. Well, lying on your resume essentially amounts to building that house on a foundation of quicksand. The truth is an awful thing to have hanging over your head, and resume lies have a way of catching up with even the slyest characters. 

Here are just a few of the potential consequences that can arise from an untruthful resume:

• Immediate termination: It doesn’t matter if you’ve been with an employer for two days or two years, if they discover you lied on your resume or at any point during the hiring process, there’s a very high chance you’ll be fired immediately. 

• A ruined reputation: Losing any single job is one thing, but being blackballed across an entire industry is a much bigger concern. Word travels quickly in corporate circles, and being caught red handed lying on your resume is a surefire way to find yourself on numerous do-not-hire lists.

• Legal ramifications: Deceiving employers can impact far more than just your professional life and career. For example, if an employer can prove that a worker’s lies cost their business, they can then sue that former employee for lying. 

• Jail time: Depending on the specifics of the situation and just how far the deception went (falsifying supporting documents, lying about state licensure, etc), lying on your resume may even amount to fraud in the eyes of the law. Some U.S. states consider fraud a misdemeanor while others classify it as a felony. In such cases, prison time is a very real possibility.

Lying on your resume isn’t worth the risk

A few lies here and there to spruce up your resume may seem harmless in the moment, but the potential consequences of such practices far outweigh the benefits. A deceptive resume may help you land a lucrative position today, but do you really want to worry about what will happen tomorrow if the truth comes to light? 

There’s a reason everyone knows the saying honesty is the best policy. It is! Liars always have a way of seeing their pants catch fire. Always maintain transparency and sincerity in all professional dealings, or you’ll likely see your entire career go up in smoke.