Have you been honest on your CV or resume? How many of you "bend" the truth?
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
August 20, 2008 1:19am CST
I have had to interview a LOT of people for positions within the company I work for and other companies in the past; and it never ceases to amaze me how blatantly stupid some people can be when it comes to their CV/Resume. I will give you an example.....
I had one guy in India that stated on his CV that he did a three month project to raise product awareness for a company that manufactured swtiching gears. I casulayy asked him - "What is a switching gear by the way?"..... He was completely unable to tell me what the heck a switching gear even was?? This is just one example but the fact is that there have been innumerous times that I have caught people out in interviews. Someone says that they have an interest in a particular motivational author yet they cannot name one single book this author has written..... Somebody says they are qualified to write particular code such as Java yet when you put a line of basic code in front of them they have no idea what it means.....
Surely people should realise that their CV is the basis of the questions they will be asked at an interview??? It is the only thing we know about them at first! What about you? If you were to have an interview with me would I catch you out on your CV also? Or are you totally honest and would breeze through the process?
7 people like this
19 responses
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
20 Aug 08
I have been honest with my CV. I don't want any unnecessary pressure on me. An interview is done to match job and people. If they want someone with certain skills I don't have, I'd be happy that someone else gets the position. BUt I guess, it's becoming a very competitive world. People become desperate to find a job.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
The key is to not apply for jobs that we are honestly NOT qualified or experienced enough for. I have come across many people that make this mistake. I am actually finding it interesting that so far not ONE single person has admitted to stretching the truth on their CV! My experience with well over 50 interviews to date tells me otherwise! Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
20 Aug 08
Maybe those people are afraid that you were the one who interviewed them 
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
I hope so! If they cannot stand up to a tough interview then I sure as heck don't wish for them to work for or with me! Maybe in another topic one day I will outline some of the things I make potantial employees go through in an interview process! It is nothing mean but a set of tasks to really prove their ability to think on their feet and engage others. I am in business development and need peole that are confident, quick thinking and creative! I just don't wish for "CV creativity!". lol
1 person likes this
@angiemabute (358)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
CV is very important in applying for a job because it is the reflection of the applicant. With just looking in the CV, the interviewer will be able to know a lot of things about the applicant. I always make sure that every information in my CV are all correct. I'm not into putting infos about me that I'm not really familiar. I don't pretend that I've been into this, that I've done this because I don't wanna fool anyone and feel ashame in case that I'll be caught in my foolishness. I don't need pretensions because I know myself and I can do a lot of things that maybe of big help to the company I'm applying.
3 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
Yes it is. And it is the FIRST impression a potential employer gets of a candidate. The very fact thatwe have to sift through countless CV's and then short list candidates for interviews means that already they are in with a fighting chance; so WHY hurt their chances with BS?? Telling lies on a CV and then being caught out is a true reflection of their confidence in themselves. Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
20 Aug 08
James,
I've come across stupid guys who mention some crap on their CV's as well and end up looking pretty foolish when I've interviewed them.
I've been very careful when preparing my CV and i suppose it is based on experiences like these. I've made it very simple and given the details of things that I have done and achieved. I also try to pose all the questions to myself that I could be asked on each of the points so that I would not fumble on any of them. To be honest I actually prefer if the interviewer looks at my CV only as a simple introduction and would prefer explaining myself and leave an impression.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
How funny is this when it DOES happen! lol. The look on their face is absolutely priceless! I tend to use their CV as a guide only also and determine only a few key questions from it. Most of my discussions with a potential employee are about things not related to their CV at all. I feel I can find out so much more from them this way and to be honest, I consider most CV's to be more creative than real so seek alternative validation of their relevance for the job. Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
I have always been honest on my resume... i don't think there is a point in lying since most companies would always do a background check... but there are some cases when i do not include one or two work experience... expecially if i was not able to get any certificate in that particular work...
3 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
Oh I have LEFT things out of my CV most definitely. If I were to list each and every job I have had since leaving High School my CV would be20 pages long! lol. I see no issue with this. What is important that what IS in the CV is truthful and accurate becausa a savvy interviewer WILL catch you out! Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@lrglara (1334)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
i have always been honest with my CV, no matter what format i use. i always keep in mind that it always reflects my personality and professionality. being honest will give me an edge and i always try to answer the questions in the interview truthfully.
if for instance i dont have an experience in the job specified, i would tell them blatantly that i dont have an experience with that but i will definitely do everything, as in everything to find out what i can about the job and do my best... so far, i landed the job i want...
3 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
I will say that I am 99% honest on mine! The worse I may do is put a more positive "spin" on a previous job I may have had or on the description of a particular task I achieved so that it tends to compliment the job I am going for a bit more. I certainly do not lie about roles I had, education I have received or companies I worked with. Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@mjmlagat (3170)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
Although a person's CV/resume is considered as his best-foot-forward tool to land a job, it doesn't mean that he tell tales of half-truth there just to get a positive impression.
I have always been honest in my CV because I know I will get the impression through it and whether I was telling there the truth or not, it will be known sooner or later.
3 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
It is a challenge actually becasue your CV is the very first thing that a potential employer sees. And it will either catch their attention and get you an interview; or it won't. So of course many people feel they need to spice things up just to get their foot in the door and then end up looking like idiots when they get caught out! And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that honesty is the best policy because there is a good chance you WILL get caught out sooner or later! Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
21 Aug 08
jAMES
I am totally honest while writing CV. I feel, its the first impression that the employer gets of me and I should not write something which is not true and give awrong impression. I might leave out some points purposely but that's something different, I guess. But bragging about stuffs I have never been part of is just not me.
Thanks.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
21 Aug 08
Oh yes they are intelligent enough! Or else they wouldn't have been there. lol..
Lying always gets caught sooner or later and the first impression is a very solid one I guess. We have to do the wonders in that whatever minutes!
Hapy interviewing.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
We all should be this way. And as for leaving things OUT of a CV; this is fair enough as there may be past experiences etc that have absolutely no relevance whatsoever; or the potential employer may have requested a certain CV length or something so we have to edit what we have already..... There are many reasons really why we would leave things out but this is not the same as blatantly lying just to talk ourselves up! An intelligent interviewer will ALWAYS catch people out that lie. Thanks for responding.
@Jemina (5770)
•
21 Aug 08
Honestly, I am not a good twister of truth. I would rather put in my resume that I can type 40 wpm even if I can type up to 55.
I'm scared to lie and spice the truth with exaggerated facts because comes interview time? I would be tongue-tied. Even if I'm telling the truth I still get tongue-tied how much more if I lie?
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
Well this is certainly an interesting twist! DOWN playing your talents! lol. You should never be tongue tied when being honest and I hope that you can one day overcome this. The truth shall set you free remember? All we can do is always be honest and BELIEVE in ourselves. We are who we are and should never be nervous about this! Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
22 Aug 08
The important thing is that you have acknowledged that this is a personal flaw. We can't ever fix anything if we have not even acknowledged that it exists! If adult ADHD DOES exist then you can put it in your CV under the section where you describe yourself and rfer to it as "unbridled enthusiasm"! lol.
1 person likes this
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
LOL! I can imagine how frustrating that could be... I do not "bend" the truth so that my resume would look good. I put facts. Mainly because that is a legal document. My CV can actually make or break me, so why take the risk right? I can perfectly answer any question related to what's written on my resume... and more of course. I really don't understand why some people have to lie about something as important as that. I don't get it. Why indeed. 
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
It's not so much frustrating; it's actually quite entertaining at times! lol. But yes, when you are interviewing large groups of candidates one after the other and many of them are just plain BS'ing you then it can start to get on your nerves! And yes, you most definitely need to be able to intelligently answer ALL questions related to your CV; but the real experts will be just as proficient at answering questions related to things that are NOT! Thanks for responding.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
20 Aug 08
Dear friend,
I had been always honest to my CV and moreover if any questions asked sometimes I may able to answer and some I may forget and some I get nervous may not be able give the answer even if I have it. As long as I am honest in my CV those questions I am able to answer if as mentioned things may not come to me at that time. Many things I had studied had been forgotten and hope these whenever I went for an interview I try to refresh those important parts or important questions and answers which I think probable to come.
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
I do understand that people get nervous in interviews. Especially if they are fresh out of University or College. And if it is any consolation, I always do take this into condsideration when interviewing people! Yes it is importamt to prepare for possible questions in an interview and if you are always hionest from the start with your CV then you have amuch less chance of messing things up! Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
20 Aug 08
yes am always totally honest but the only thing you might catch me is the part where I indicated that I can program using VB 6.0, its not that I lied or something, no its because I did it long time ago in the year 2000 and never practised it any more since then..........I have a distinction pass but honestly I have forgoten everything......gosh, i think I should go delete it from my cv. Thankd for starting this discussion.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
As long as you are upfront and honest that you DID do this course back in 2000 and may be a bit rusty I don't see an issue in keeping it there! I have faced very similar circumstances with people I have interviewed before. The fact is that they have done this course, but have not really had the oppotunity to use the knowledge they gained yet. Having done the course is still relevant. The ideal answer for this is that it was some time ago but you are certain that you will pick up these skilss again VERY quickly if they are required. Honesty! I would definitely keep it in there. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@little_momma (198)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I am always honest on mine for the simple fact that its too easy to be caught in a lie. If I am going after a particular job I will focus my resume on the skills for that position and I may leave out a previous that has no value to the position applied for if I need extra room but thats the extent of it.
2 people like this
@suneethy (46)
• India
20 Aug 08
Hi James. C.V must be true. that i agreed. but the questions asking many times not connected to C.V. when somebody gets more experienc and knowledgebale, that person is keep on rejecting as per his/her c.v. bz i am facing problem to get an job since last almost one and half years. And every needs females at the age of 20 to 25 not more than. if somebody cross this age - is it means that they never get an job.???For eg: One of my interview.
Questions asked for an interview of General Manager -
Question one - brief about your self. so explained about my qualification + experience, my capabilites weeknes etc.
Response: No this is wrong answer you must tell about your family, like
what your husband doing and howmany kids, living style etc -
Now tell me is this connected to JOB or ................... so where is my c.v and the question asked. ????So i am not fully agreed with your statements. But 50-50. yes agree.
Here in India current scenario - Job for youngesters ie 20 to 25
not for 30 + and 40 + no chance. So how can you expect an honest C.V???? They want to take the chance and putting the truth on their own wallest or dustbin.
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
What you have said is 100% true. As an interviewer we HAVE your CV and have read it already! When we ask about YOU we do not wish to hear all about what is already in your CV! We want to hear about YOU. This is how we come to understand your personality and confidence levels etc. There is so much more to a person being suitable for a job or not that just their CV. I have interviewed many people that on paper are unbelievably qualified; yet as PEOPLE they are a complete mess! I will actually employ a LESS qualified person if their personality, attitude and confidence stands out over the more qualified ones. Anyone that thinks that their CV and their CV alone will get them work then they have a limited chance out there in my opinion. You have to sell yourself just as much as your qualifications and experience; and the questions that you may not feel are relevant all serve their purpose!
I can appreciate that it may be difficult to find work as it is a competitive world out there! But I gurantee you that if you are able to engage and captivate and interviewer BEYOND what is on your CV then you have a fighting chance! I wish you all ther luck in the world with your employment and hope that my advice may help. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@tonyblake (24)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
if you came across me you would trip out.i'd show up with no resume.then i'd watch you spin out.if you were a good boss than i would consider working for you.as soon as you asked for a resume i would tell you to get f,cked.if you want me than you have to really want me for real.how many times have you been used by an employer.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
Hmmm. I am not sure HOW to respond to this and am assuming that this response is tongue in cheek! lol. But if you were to come into an interview I was conducting and be this way it would be a very quick meeting! I don't think you would even have the time to sit! I most certainly wouldn't "spin out" so to speak..... Anyways, the CV always comes to me BEFORE I have interviews scheduled so if you didn't have one then we would never get to the interview stage in the first place! Thanks for responding.
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
20 Aug 08
Unless you asked me if I really weighed a certain amount, you wouldn't catch me in a lie.. I know this isn't on a resume, but I think that is the only thing that I normally lie about and it is only about a 10 lb lie.. This one is normally reserved for drivers license.. I have never had to use a resume for anything, anytime that I went for a job at all, and this has been years ago, we had face-to-face interviews.. I am not the kind of person who likes to be caught in any lie at all.. I wouldn't like the feeling of being "called" on anything that I really didn't know about.. I am "old school" and have never felt the need to lie on any job interview.. I could tell you that I was an "Award Winning Brain Surgeon and get the job, but I have sense enough to know that as soon as I went to work, I would have to perform brain surgery, then where would I be?? I can't imagine why anyone would lie when they know they honestly can't handle the job they will be given..
But I do have a son who is very talented when it comes to doing computer work and he is looking for a good job.. Anyone needing computer work done?? Have a great day..
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Aug 08
For some people it is just that much easier for them to lie because they lack the confidence in themselves to do otherwise. I too consider myself old school and though I can certainly put different "spins" on the same thing I do not lie. I really like your "10 lbs" reference! Maybe this can be the new version of the white lie! For example, instead of saying - "It's not going to hurt her! It's just a little white lie!" we could replace it with "It's just a 10lbs lie! No big deal!" lol. Good luck with your son finding a new job too. Based on one of your other responses maybe he can realize one of your dreams and get your house spotless in the meantime! 
Thanks for responding.
Thanks for responding.1 person likes this
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
21 Aug 08
Of course I have always been. Well that's why they have the reference section wherein your potential employer could check if you are telling the truth in your resume or not. Honestly I don't see why people still need to lie about their resume, of course if ever they got accepted and they lied about knowing something, it would be found out and of course it might harm your position because of what you did. So for me it's better to be honest about it than to lie.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
Youi have to have a damn good memory to be a consumate liar! And many people are not as good at it as they think and are generally caught out easily. I am still finding it very interesting that there has still yet to be ONE person admitting to lying on their CV! One respondent has somewhat hinted at it; but not come right out and said it! Thanks for responding.
@pkraj111 (2458)
• India
21 Aug 08
I am honest with my resume so far. But once I visted a consultant and resume builder who made me fell like the greatest employee possible. They put all sorts of lies in there. The consultant sent me to an interview without even showing the contents he put in my resume
. I was shocked when the interviewer asked me questions I absolutely have no idea about. I apologised to him and later ditched the consultant. From then on I never allowed a consultant to make up my resume
. I was shocked when the interviewer asked me questions I absolutely have no idea about. I apologised to him and later ditched the consultant. From then on I never allowed a consultant to make up my resume1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
That is unbelievable that a consultant would go and do something like this and then not even coach you on what was inside the CV he (or she!) had created! How embarassing this must have been for you! I guess the bottom line is to never trust someone else entirely with your future and ALWAYS check and double check ANYTHING someone else has written about you! Thanks for responding.
@berrys (864)
• Singapore
20 Aug 08
if i said I'm completely honest I'd just be lying again but I wouldn't lie about something i know nothing about I would say maybe i speak 6 different languages and if you tried to test me I'd make sure I know the basic good morning my name is thing. or i would say I worked for a media company or anything to do with art since I'm good at that area or math. that way you wouldn't catch me cheating XD
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
It is funny that you have mentioned languages actually! I have had SEVERAL instances where candidates have said they speak foreign languages (mainly French and German) so you say something to them in either language and they stare at you as if you are speaking Swahili! lol. Honesty is always the best policy! Thanks for responding.
@tonyblake (24)
• Australia
21 Aug 08
james .....im from the mid north coast of nsw.from my early teens to 40 i surf every day.you know i know.
