Have you ever lied on a resume?

I have the opposite problem. I have to omit information to get work. No one in advertising and graphic design wants to hire you with "Masters Degree" and "PhD in progress" on your resume. They know you pose a 'flight risk' and probably won't be at that job for more than a year, and they think you'll also demand an incredible amount of $$$ because of your education.
 
+1 on the exaggeration thing. I once landed a 14 month internship because I had put that I had "extensive experience with processing work orders" on my resume. What that actually meant was that I once handed a work order form from my boss to one of the maintenance guys because he was too lazy to get out of his chair.

Success!
 
Is exaggeration a lie? I think context has allot to do with how we interpret whether or not a lie has been told. Practical Wisdom. And don't we all tend to exaggerate in our favor? How about a lie by selective omission? What about lying as a profession? Buyer's remorse. Your fault or good sales?
 
Always. Or I would still be working at Walmart.
 
I lied to get an interview. The position was a government funded one so it was only open for students returning to school this fall. I was taking part time courses but I lied and said "yes I'll be returning to full time studies in the fall". There is no way for the employer to verify this, so I told that lie to get the interview.

I didn't end up getting the job, but not because I lied.
 
A friend of mine works at the "Red Bank"....almost an entire dept was made up of the managers friends\relatives from another country they recently emigrated to Canada. They all put the same University on their resume (which didn't exist). One guy complained because he noticed that the people that were getting hired had a really long learning curve for the job that they were qualified for....After HR further researched this University and found it to be entirely made up and reorganized the group out of their jobs. A couple even got packages $1000 bucks for every month they were there...nice

It's been my experience that networking gets you the best position. People don't want to risk getting an unknown in their group...one way to counter this is to explain your other interests hobbies...someone in the group may have the same interest and they will remember you.
 
^ I've seen people put education from schools I've never heard of on a resume (or just not even list the school), but if the engineering school is not recognized by the CEAB (Canadian Engineering Accrediation Board), then they're simply not qualified for the position.

To the OP, some advice.

Never ever lie on a resume. Despite what you're told, everbody does not do this. You can "dress up" a simple job (ie. cashier at Tim Hortons = quick and courteous customer service... etc), but never lie. I've interviewed people before and if I feel like I'm being bull shitted, they're out. And you can't bull **** a bull shitter.

Don't use text speak on your resume or CV. Please please please don't do this!!! Yes, this is done often. More often then you'd think. Read, re-read, and then re-re-read everything. Then send it to friends, family, and if need be, random strangers.

Your resume is looked at for about 2 seconds. I thought this was a joke, but it can be true. Your biggest obstacle is convincing the hiring agent to read your resume. If they feel like they're drudging through it, you're not getting the job. Use point form, don't be too wordy, and make sure your resume highlights attributes and requirements for the job you're applying for.

Don't generate one generic CV for all applications. Many people do this and have a <insert company name here> where they fill in the company, date, address, etc, and send out the resume. Don't spam your resume/CV. More applications != more interviews. A more tailored resume = more interviews.

VISIT THE COMPANY!!! If you're interested in the job, take the time to visit the company (while looking professional) and drop off a resume in person. So few people do this that it automatically gives you an advantage over the other applications. Print the resume on nicer paper, the first impression of your resume is usually when the applicant TOUCHES the resume, not READS the resume.

I'm sure I can think of more, but that should be good for a start.
 
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I exaggerated once on a resume. I said I worked in **** jobs, and it worked, I got he job and now I am happy cleaning septic tanks :)
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm still on the fence about it...

Knowledge ---- All you can hope for when handing out a resume is an interview.
If your resume gets you an interview then it did it's job and no need to lie!!! If you got the interview and came up short its likely some other issue that is holding you back from nailing it and not the "we wish you had more experience"....
The reason my resume doesn't get me interviews is because I'm trying to change over industries. If I stayed in my current industry, I'd be able to move between companies/positions pretty easily. And as much as I love my jobs, I really need to change over so I have more time to study and I can still make more (haha isn't that always the goal?)

I'd be fine if I got a real interview (as in "you're qualified, and we want to pick out of the other qualified people"); I'm not sure I'd count job fairs as real interviews as anyone can walk in.
what did you major in?

ive never gotten anything useful out of job fairs...
I'm still in school, so I'm a student (double in psych & philosophy) but I still work full-time+ throughout the year.

And as for job fairs: I got hired at the bay when I was 15...job fairs are good if you can stand out from everyone there. I always go on the last day to leave a lasting impression.

It's hard when you're young and starting out. What type of jobs are you looking for?
I'm trying to get into bartending, so I'm trying to start off as a barback. I got one callback, but I couldn't give up my other jobs for $75 nights (with no room for growth or a chance to eventually bartend there) - as much as I want the experience.

So basically,there isn't much to lie about. If I said I had experience bartending, I'd be in deep **** once I started working. But barbacking? Lmao I even wore tighter pants when I went on a resume blitz by church & wellesly. hahaha
 
I'm trying to get into bartending, so I'm trying to start off as a barback. I got one callback, but I couldn't give up my other jobs for $75 nights (with no room for growth or a chance to eventually bartend there) - as much as I want the experience.

So basically,there isn't much to lie about. If I said I had experience bartending, I'd be in deep **** once I started working. But barbacking? Lmao I even wore tighter pants when I went on a resume blitz by church & wellesly. hahaha

If you're interested in this in two years come and speak to me.
 
I tend to exaggerate what I have done in jobs. For example, I worked on a project where all I really did was CAD drafting but on my resume I said that I designed a building electrical distribution. Resume's are just for getting that interview and then you gotta kick *** and communicate and sell yourself well.

We keep seeing exagerating at my firm.... last one I personally worked with claimed he worked in architecture.... then took 2 weeks to detail a pylon sign. When I asked him to add more detail I learned he didnt know what brick was.... now everyone has to do a standard test...

Nope, never and never will. Can't do it. I know so many that have and have gotten away with it.

Likewise.... I used to be good at lying and bullshitting till I realized the damage I caused... now I am very proud to say I can't lie worth ****. And I am not even going to try.

In teaching it's called Nepotism. Kind of the same, only you need to have blood ties to get in. ;)

I know two people personally... one got the job and works hard... the other still tries to boss people around and everyone knows that they dont really know their stuff.

My Uncle is coowner for a security firm and hes handed out a few jobs to family/family friends but hes good in the sense of... now you got the job... its up to you to keep it and dont go calling him if you have problems.
 

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