38 replies to this topic

[Mr Right Wing]

Hi Everybody

I realise many people are unemployed at the moment but I'm interested in how many of you lie on your CVs and to what extent -

Do you fabricate your qualifications?
Do you fabricate your software skills?
Do you fabricate your work history?
Do you fabricate your profile description to match the firms requirements?

Have you ever made an email account, pretended to be someone else and requested a reference from a previous employer to see what they write about you?
If they no longer have you on record have you lied about your job title, responsibilities and salary knowing you wont be caught?
If the business no longer exists have you made stuff up to make yourself an ideal applicant for a position?
Have you ever got a friend or family member to pretend to be a boss so you can write out your own references?

Spill the beans!

[wolfknight]

Nope never have Never had too. Doing somethimes like that is not a little white lie it is a big ass lie.  Doing a false appt in my line of work gets you to the door. And ban from ever working here again in any job.

[Professor T]

I'm unemplopyed right now..
I wrote up my CV last week and was honest all the way though.. No white lies..

I did however leave out some training & certificates because tbh I don't think those certificates are promotional..

Editied to add: The only thing worse than lying on a CV would be getting a Job you can't do because you lied on a CV..

Edited by Professor T, 22 January 2013 - 07:01 PM.

[freetoroam]

Have never lied on a CV and never would. Anyone who lies on their CV can not be trusted when in the job. If I really wanted a job i would make it clear how much I really want it at the interview and would be honest if I did not have all the qualifications. If i had to go and get them qualifications then that is what I would do.

[ExpandMyMind]

Why would you fabricate actual skills, such as software skills? The other three you could probably get away with, as long as you have the actual skills needed to do the job. Without having the skills to do the job though it seems to be a bit redundant to apply in the first place, similar to what Prof T said in his last sentence.

Edited by ExpandMyMind, 22 January 2013 - 07:15 PM.

[Mr Right Wing]

ExpandMyMind, on 22 January 2013 - 07:14 PM, said:

Why would you fabricate actual skills, such as software skills? The other three you could probably get away with, as long as you have the actual skills needed to do the job. Without having the skills to do the job though it seems to be a bit redundant to apply in the first place, similar to what Prof T said in his last sentence.

More stuff for the debate - http://news.bbc.co.u...ine/4167204.stm - 25% of applicants lie on CVs. I've read somewhere else that increases to 40% during recessions as people get fed up with being unemployed. For the record I have never lied about my qualifications or software skills (no need too).

Whenever I apply for an interview (I'm employed by the way) I always check out the references from previous employers in advance. I create an email account, pretend to be someone asking for a reference for a job applicant and see what I get back. I must confess I lie on my CV for those firms no longer in business or who no longer have me in their employment records. Knowing what they send out for references also aids me as I match up my CV to them.

Edited by Mr Right Wing, 22 January 2013 - 07:30 PM.

[ouija ouija]

Mr Right Wing, on 22 January 2013 - 06:53 PM, said:

Spill the beans!

Why do you want to know?

re. your second post: what exactly was the nature of your lie then?

Edited by ouija ouija, 22 January 2013 - 07:32 PM.

[ExpandMyMind]

Mr Right Wing, on 22 January 2013 - 07:30 PM, said:

More stuff for the debate - http://news.bbc.co.u...ine/4167204.stm - 25% of applicants lie on CVs. I've read somewhere else that increases to 40% during recessions as people get fed up with being unemployed. For the record I have never lied about my qualifications or software skills (no need too).

Whenever I apply for an interview (I'm employed by the way) I always check out the references from previous employers in advance. I create an email account, pretend to be someone asking for a reference for a job applicant and see what I get back. I must confess I lie on my CV for those firms no longer in business or who no longer have me in their employment records. Knowing what they send out for references also aids me as I match up my CV to them.

Sneaky, but a good idea, no doubt.

[little_dreamer]

F.Y.I.  CV's are the same thing as a resume in North America.

No - my only issue is removing qualifications.  I removed the oldest jobs so I wouldn't look so old.   I also tossed references to old technology that isn't used anymore.

[Mr Right Wing]

ouija ouija, on 22 January 2013 - 07:30 PM, said:

Why do you want to know?

re. your second post: what exactly was the nature of your lie then?

I have done 5 jobs in my life -

Job 1 - Their HR dept no longer has me on their records (I found out by doing the email trick).
Job 2 - Firm no longer in business.
Job 3 - Sacked for bullying (I did the email trick for this and the reference is not good muwhahaha!).
Job 4 - They have me on records and the reference is okay (the email trick again)
Job 5 - Still there.

On my CV I've stated that I got promoted to manager for jobs 1 + 2 (complete lies). I also remove job 3 and expand job 2 to cover the gap muwhahaha. I've never been caught out and I dont see how I would?

[Sky Scanner]

Mr Right Wing, on 22 January 2013 - 07:53 PM, said:

Job 3 - Sacked for bullying (I did the email trick for this and the reference is not good muwhahaha!).

They can't give negative references, they can only decline to give one. So how did you get one then?

[Michelle]

Yes, I did lie once. I applied for a job at a chemical company and they had just installed their computers. It was in the early 80's and computers were just now becoming maistream. The office employees had all very recently finished a six week course on how to operate them. Only a couple of people understood it well and they were helping everyone else. When they ask me if I knew how to use Wordstar 2000 I told them I did, but I would need someone to show me how they had theirs set up. The guy worked with me for about an hour and showed me everything I needed to know to do the job. I had never even heard of Wordstar 2000.

[Mr Right Wing]

Sky Scanner, on 22 January 2013 - 08:02 PM, said:

They can't give negative references, they can only decline to give one. So how did you get one then?

I sent the email saying someone had applied for a job at my business and I'm checking out their work history. I asked them to confirm the employment dates, salary, responsibilities and any disciplinary action.

They replied. They werent negative but they were truthful. They said I got sacked for gross misconduct related to bullying. Therefore I have edited the job out of my CV.

Edited by Mr Right Wing, 22 January 2013 - 08:07 PM.

[Sky Scanner]

Mr Right Wing, on 22 January 2013 - 08:06 PM, said:

I sent the email saying someone had applied for a job at my business and I'm checking out their work history. I asked them to confirm the employment dates, salary, responsibilities and any disciplinary action.

They replied. They werent negative but they were truthful. They said I got sacked for gross misconduct related to bullying.

Oh right...didn't realise they could do that, you learn something new every day...

[Mr Right Wing]

Michelle, on 22 January 2013 - 08:06 PM, said:

Yes, I did lie once. I applied for a job at a chemical company and they had just installed their computers. It was in the early 80's and computers were just now becoming maistream. The office employees had all very recently finished a six week course on how to operate them. Only a couple of people understood it well and they were helping everyone else. When they ask me if I knew how to use Wordstar 2000 I told them I did, but I would need someone to show me how they had theirs set up. The guy worked with me for about an hour and showed me everything I needed to know to do the job. I had never even heard of Wordstar 2000.

So you take calculated risks too to get ahead?

If I know I wont get caught I lie away.