From falsifying credentials, exaggerating to fiddling with information, job seekers often alter job applications in order to land a job. No matter how tempting, it is never a good idea to write a bunch of lies in your CV or feed an interviewer with false information. You might think that the hiring manager will never find out, but the very best of them know how to verify a candidate’s information. They are also experienced at getting information out of you and if something you say does not add up with what’s on your CV, you will be in trouble.
In addition to that, you will be anxious. You will likely be afraid that the hiring manager or interviewer is going to call you out on the lie. Remember, nervousness is a red flag that does not go unnoticed by hiring managers. When you lie, you are definitely going to be edgy throughout the process and this could hurt your chances of getting hired.
Avoid telling these four lies if you want to get hired:
Exaggerating Years of Experience
Applicants whose experience level isn’t up to par with advertised jobs tend to increase the total number of working experience they have to meet up with job expectations. While those who have a lot of employment gaps also fill them up with non-existing past jobs.
If you don’t meet the requirement for any job advertised, it is best not to apply at all. If you are caught you will automatically be disqualified.
Showing off Nonexistent Skills
Nowadays, it is very common to find applicants adding skills they don’t have to their CVs just to look good to a potential employer. If that skill you listed is vital to the job role, the interviewer might have to test you on that and if you fail, that spells doom for you. You might think that it will be easy for you to read up or take a course to acquire that skill once you get hired. If it was that easy, then it won’t be a sought-after skill.
If a company eventually hires you because they value a particular skill they think you have, and then find out you don’t, they can fire you.
For your own peace of mind, do not include skills you do not have on your CV.
Falsifying Degree or Certificates
Some applicants mention in their CVs that they have a degree in a particular field whereas they just took some classes. While others forge certificates and claim degrees earned by their family members.
Don’t assume that all companies are the same and you won’t be found out. There are good background checking firms employers pay to verify and gather information on potential employees.
If you are found out you might not only lose the job offer, but you could also be blacklisted and flagged to other potential employers.
Inflating Previous Salaries
It doesn’t come as a surprise that most job applicants increase the actual amount they earned at previous jobs, just so they can earn higher salaries. Salary verification can be difficult since many companies don’t readily reveal salary information of employees. However, some potential employers actually have their way of getting this information if they really need it.
If ever questions about salary history pop up during the interview, you can choose not to divulge such information by politely declining the question. If you actually feel you were underpaid at a previous job, state what you earned and prepare to justify the reason you think you deserve more.
Though selling yourself to a potential employer is extremely important if you want to land a job, an obvious exaggeration of the skillset, experience etc. will not only reduce your chances but can also damage your reputation with that company and other companies as well. Pass yourself off as a confident and intelligent person to the potential employer and use actual facts to prove worth.