Caught in a Resume Lie? Here's What To Do

Posted by in Career Advice •


When you're creating a resume, you might be concerned about gaps in your employment history or education that could hurt your chances of getting a job. Books and websites that offer resume tips will tell you that listing the right credentials is crucial, so to hide deficiencies in background or education, some people exaggerate or lie on their resumes. If you get caught with a lie on your resume, the way to handle it will depend on the circumstances. Whether the lie comes out during your job search or after you've signed a contract, use these resume tips for addressing credential gaps when creating your new CV.
 

If you're caught in a lie while you're looking for a job, the safest option is probably to withdraw your employment application at the company that confronted you as well as any other companies that received the falsified resume. Be aware that most companies are legally entitled to fire an employee with a faked resume, even if the lie is not discovered until years down the line. For example, the former dean of admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was forced to resign from her job in 2007 after it came out that she had been lying about her academic qualifications for more than twenty years. Even though she was a recognized authority on college applications and had offered resume tips and essay advice to thousands of students, the lie nearly destroyed her career. Having a strong track record, as the former dean did, will not protect you from being dismissed for a fraudulent resume. Furthermore, being fired for lying on your resume can ultimately hurt your career more than it will to simply not be hired in the first place.
 

If you have been caught in a lie after being hired, the type of lie may influence the way you handle the situation. Many people lie on their resumes about employment dates, pay rates, and job responsibilities. If following bad resume tips led you astray, you should explain that honestly. If you have a strong work history at your company and the lie is minor, you may be able to convince your boss that you made an error that is out of character for you. However, if you lied about a medical or financial certification, you may need the help of a lawyer.
 

You will need to create a new resume to replace the fraudulent one. Some hiring gurus who offer resume tips say that you should use a cover letter to address weak points in your resume. Employment gaps or an unfinished college degree are best dealt with honestly. When creating a resume, bear in mind that your interview, telephone, and writing skills are as important, if not more important, than your experience.
 

Telling a lie on your resume is a serious problem, but not necessarily a career-ending one. Depending on when the truth comes out, your employer may let it slide, or you may need to look for new work. Either way, it's important to use resume tips to help you write an honest CV that highlights your skills.
 

(Photo courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net)
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  • JOHN SCHMIDT
    JOHN SCHMIDT •
    OKEI O,              YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS YOU LET SOMEONE ELSE FIND YOU A JOB. REMEMBER THESE THREE THINGS: RECRUITERS GET PAID TO FIND YOU EMPLOYMENT. MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL AND CASH SUPERSEDES ALL. GOOD LUCK WITH FINDING A NEW JOB.
  • Amelia Alvarado
    Amelia Alvarado •
    How does one find a job then? I have had several years of being unemployed so I have gaps but hiring managers and future employers don't like to see that you have gaps in your resume so how do we as job seekers overcome that? We have to lie so we can get a job or at least stretch the truth a little. A friend of mine lied on her resume about 2 years ago and her employer found out and now she is unemployed. I am unemployed and do not want that to happen to me so how can I fix the employment gaps on my resume?   
  • Okei O
    Okei O •
    I recently encountered a situation where a recruiter substantially altered my resume to include outright lies. The recruiter sent me the job scope and my resume. I realized something was fishy when he called several times asking me to download the attached documents and use them as reference during the interview.  I was disgusted to see that considerable alterations were made to my work history, certifications, and accomplishments to match the job requirements. I simply explained to the interviewer what I noticed in my resume and withdrew from the job interview. Before, I withdrew, I offered the interviewer my technical advise on how he should approach the project and where he could find someone with the expertise to provide a turnkey solution. This happened yesterday and I am still troubled by it. My recruiter, despite the evidence, claims he did not make the changes. Well, the resume he sent me was not the resume I submitted to him.

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