Lying on CV

Mrs Garth Brooks

What do people think of lying on CVs?

Is there much harm in it?

The reason I ask I have a two year gap since finishing college.

There was a shop close by to me that was open to me for a year. Could I lie and pretend I was working in it. Is there any way of finding out if I have lied.

RomanGod

I wouldn't advise it. I know people get very desperate and find it tough out there (i know that feeling very well) so they think of ways to get their foot in the door. I deem lying on your cv a short term solution, you may get the job but you'll have to keep the lie up long term where you might bump in to someone who actually worked there and you're in no man's land then. There's also the question of ethics, can you look in the mirror at work knowing you beat other candidates with a lie.

My personal advice, spend time doing online courses or working in a voluntary shop getting real experience instead of thinking how you can hack the system. You'll be going down a dangerous road. Again just my outlook on it

Mr. Loverman

If you're going to lie, you need to make sure it's something relatively innocent which can't be proven, so in your case saying something like "I travelled" would be better.

RomanGod

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

If you're going to lie, you need to make sure it's something relatively innocent which can't be proven, so in your case saying something like "I travelled" would be better.

I can agree with that, it's not giving you an edge over other candidates but it'll give you an even playing field where your two years absence from the work force is excused and employers won't look into it too much

Just be sure to pick a place that you've been before and know a few things about it in case the HR manager has been there as well and asks you some questions

TheChizler

Just be careful using great sounding works without fully knowing what they mean. I was recently in an interview where it was pointed out that I had "competent at x" on my CV, I had written that section a few years previously and what I really should have said was more like, "not awful at x". Thankfully I dodged a bullet and all went well.

biko

For a gap between jobs I wouldn't think much of it. Sure, say you traveled or something.
But lying about your skills can get you fired.

Kiltennel

Say you went travelling, don't lie about experience. If they find out were lying you run the risk of being fired, and then not being able to get a reference from that employer. So you'll then have to explain a 2 year gap and why you can't provide a reference from your previous employer.

Jim2007

Mrs Garth Brooks wrote: »

The reason I ask I have a two year gap since finishing college.

So what, lots of people have gaps on their CV, it certainly not a reason to lie about it. Simply fill in the slot with whatever you were doing - had to take time out to look after aunty Madge, spent a summer climbing in the Alps, did independent studies or whatever. But don't lie about it because there is every chance you'll get caught! And even if you don't and it is found out later you can still be dismissed for it.

the_syco

Mrs Garth Brooks wrote: »

Is there any way of finding out if I have lied.

They ring the shop, ask, find out you lied, ponder what else you lied about, bin your CV, and/or ignore any CV's you later submit.

Tarzana

the_syco wrote: »

They ring the shop, ask, find out you lied, ponder what else you lied about, bin your CV, and/or ignore any CV's you later submit.

She said the shop was only open for a year. Not saying I'm condoning it, by the way. Just, that's what she said.

Mrs OBumble

Tarzana wrote: »

She said the shop was only open for a year. Not saying I'm condoning it, by the way. Just, that's what she said.

Ya - but if she lies about it, you can almost guarantee that it was the manager;s sister or somesuch that interviews you.

Tarzana

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Ya - but if she lies about it, you can almost guarantee that it was the interviewer's sister or somesuch that interviews you.

Like I said, I was just clarifying for the poster as he said they could ring the shop.

chooey

I'd just say that you were traveling. Ireland's such a small place that you know someone will know someone who worked in the shop!

Sinall

Also worth bearing in mind that some employers check for proof that you've worked where you say you've worked - I've had extensive background checks done, but that could be due to the industry that I work in.

Mrs Garth Brooks

I've decided not to lie and pretend I've worked in a closed down shop. It would mean I would have two CVs. And I'm not so sure about that. I'm registered with some recruiters and they have my CV and last week when I thought of lying on my CV I noticed that an employer advertised on a job site but the recruiter also had the same job.

So the recruiter could send off my CV and I could then apply on the job site with my new updated CV.