Why You Should Be Honest On Your Resume

We all know that “honesty is the best policy,” but when it comes to something as significant as a person’s career, it can be tempting to stretch the truth in the name of snagging your dream job. Of course, you want to paint yourself in the best light possible, but an honest assessment of your strengths as a candidate is the best route to take. That extra padding hurts more than it helps. Here’s why!

Why Do Employers Perform Background Checks?

Hiring managers understand that resumes are essentially highlight reels of an individual’s professional career. They are skilled at filling in the gaps and uncovering the truth about a candidate. With Google at their fingertips and a world wide web full of online profiles and information, it can be relatively simple to verify whether you actually held the positions listed on your resume. Employers also ask for references for a reason—of course, you think you are a great candidate, but do others? If you’ve lied about your skills and experience, it will likely be revealed in a discussion with past supervisors.

Interview Truths: Lies Will Surface

Interviews give hiring managers the opportunity to dig deeper into the details of your resume, so expect them to do just that. If you claim to be bilingual and studied in Spain when you did not, what happens when the interviewer asks you a question in Spanish? Even if you manage to make it through the interview process, dishonesty will eventually come to light on the job. If you stated that you were proficient in a particular system but actually have no experience using it, what would you do when your manager watches you struggle with it? It is far better to be upfront about your skills than to be caught in a lie.

Playing to Your Strengths: The Role of Honesty

Lying about skills you don’t possess won’t set you up for success—it will only undermine the value of the skills you do have. Instead of misrepresenting yourself, highlight your strengths and showcase your willingness to learn. Being truthful on your resume also ensures that you are placed in a role where you can truly excel. If you fabricate your qualifications to land a job you’re not suited for, you may miss out on an opportunity better aligned with your abilities—one where you would receive the appropriate training and tools for success had you been honest from the start.

When the stakes are high, don’t risk it all with small lies on your resume. Have confidence in what you bring to the table, demonstrate your eagerness to grow, and you will undoubtedly achieve greater success in your job search and career.