5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Stretch the Truth on Your Resume

– Future Technology Staffing

Industry estimates say that up to half of job applicants lie on their resumes. If you’re thinking about joining their ranks, think again. Here are five reasons you should be honest when creating your resume:

1. The penalty for lying is steep. You may think that lying on your resume is an easy path to your dream job, but this isn’t the case. If you’re ever found out, you’ll most likely be fired, which will destroy your credibility with your entire network and leave you without a reference to land a new job. Is any opportunity really worth that kind of risk?

2. Everything can be checked. It used to be relatively easy to conceal the truth about your background. Now information can be easily accessed by anyone. There are entire firms set up to background check potential employees so employers don’t have to. You can try to lie about your past, but your records won’t, and they’re more easily accessible than ever before.

3. You don’t want to be in over your head. Job descriptions have requirements for a reason. If you stretch the truth about your abilities, you may be hired, but then what? You’ll find yourself in a job that you’re not able to complete competently, which isn’t good for your career in the long run.

4. You can fix your problems honestly. People are often tempted to lie because they feel like they have shortcomings they need to cover up. Why not be honest instead? Highlight your personal accomplishments from a time when you weren’t able to find work, or make it clear that you’re willing to learn a skill that you don’t bring to the table.

5. Your word should mean something. When it comes down to it, lying on your resume may seem like a small thing. But you’re making a decision that will affect the rest of your career. You have to show up every day at a job knowing that you didn’t get hired honestly, and that knowledge could start to weigh on you. It’s a much better idea to keep your integrity intact.