People lie on their resumes. And, it’s more common than you think. 70% of people admitted they have lied on their resumes, and 37% admitted that they lie frequently. Only 15% of people said they have never lied on their resume.
You may be tempted to stretch the truth a little on your resume. We understand why. You want to get a call for an interview and get an edge over other applicants. A little white lie never hurt anyone, right? Actually, it could hurt you more than you think.
According to our legal recruiters in Toronto, there could be legal implications. Yes, legal issues! So, you need to think twice before you decide to adjust the facts and figures on your resume.
Below, I asked our legal recruiters about common things people lie about and the potential legal implications and other consequences of lying on your resume.
What are the most common things people lie about on their job applications?
There are a lot of things candidates can lie about on their job applications to attempt to improve their candidacy:
- Job title: People inflate or alter their title to appear more senior.
- Employment dates: You adjust dates to ensure there are no employment gaps.
- Performance and experience: Workers overstate their impact to seem more valuable.
- Responsibilities and duties: Applicants overstate their responsibilities and duties to appear more experienced.
- Education and professional designations: People exaggerate their grades, education level, or certifications.
- Salary: People overstate previous compensation in hopes of getting a better salary with a new employer.
Can there be legal implications if you lie on your resume?
You may think that adjusting employment dates to match up, altering your title, or changing your education isn’t a big deal. However, including false or misleading information about yourself on a resume could lead to you getting fired if your employer were to find out.
Even worse, it could get you in legal trouble. Lying on your resume is considered fraud. Performing a role under false pretenses could make you or your employer liable for damages if you were sued.
Lying on your resume is a violation of your employment agreement and can result in termination. If an employer takes legal action against you for fraud, it could lead to fines and even jail time, depending on the severity of the damages.
The situation becomes an even more serious matter if you lie about your education, professional designation, or certification. It’s particularly important in professions where you require a license to practice, such as law, healthcare, or skilled trades.
Working in roles without the proper credentials could put people in danger, as it could put their financial security and even their lives in jeopardy.
For example, let’s say you work in plumbing. You apply for a job and claim you’re licensed, but you’re not. You start working for a company. You make a significant mistake that causes thousands of dollars in damage to a client’s property. The client sues your employer. The employer, in turn, takes legal action against you for damages.
What other consequences could you face if you lie on your resume?
There are also other potential consequences if you are caught lying on your resume. Developing a reputation for lying could follow you around and make it more challenging for you in your career moving forward. They include:
- Loss of trust by the employer
- Job loss
- Developing a poor reputation in your industry
- Challenges finding employment
- You could lose your license or certification
How truthful do you need to be, and how far should you go with stretching the truth?
There can be a fine line between writing an engaging resume that enhances your candidacy and lying outright. This brings up a debate about how much you should stretch the truth in your resume. After all, there have been many cases of employers writing job ads that are not completely truthful.
As a candidate, you have to decide how far you should go with editing your resume before submitting it. Here are some questions to think about before you alter your resume.
- Do you want to get hired under false pretenses?
- Are you qualified for the job? Or only if you stretch the truth?
- Will you be successful in a job where you lied about your education and experience to get it?
- What if your employer finds out you lied? Are you willing to risk lying and face the potential consequences?
A final word about lying on your resume
Honesty is always the best strategy when it comes to your resume. While it may be tempting to exaggerate your experience or credentials to land a role, the risks far outweigh the short-term benefits. A resume that reflects who you really are will not only help you find the right fit but also set you up for long-term success in your career.
More From Our Legal Recruiters In Toronto
How to Explain a Gap in Your Resume
Advice from a Recruiter: How Far Back Should Your Resume Go?
