Lying on your resume

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For those of you who have lied on your resume…

Uh, Newsflash.. …. WE KNOW

Come on. Did you really think that we didn’t have a clue?

(Apologies in advance to the tiniest percentage of people whoare 100% honest-if you are really out there)

Embellishing a resume is fine. It is expected. Why wouldn’t you want to blow yourself up a little and present yourself in the best possible light?

Outright lying can be dangerous. Granted, sometimes you will get away with it absolutely scot free. Other times you risk losing a job when a thorough background check is performed (and a majority of the time, they are thorough).

Here are some Resume & Interviewing tips:

The people who are listed as your contact references should all be given a heads up that they might be getting a reference call sometime in the near future (nothing worse than having one of your references be put on the spot and come off sounding like an interrogated witness rather than one of your biggest fans).

Know your work history dates that you have put on your resume.

All companies (that I know of) require an applicant to fill out an application prior to the interview.

Take a note, some of them can get a little pissy if you write See Resume on a blank application (yes, I might be one of them).

It is quite common to see an applicant going to their cell phones for contact numbers and pulling out resumes to double check that the dates match (nothing worse than a dumb criminal).

Knowing that you will probably be filling out a standard application (copies of a basic applications can be found online, if you want to make sure what kind of info will be requested ahead of time), why not have everything down on one piece of paper prior to your arrival.

Have your work info sheet accessible and complete with:

1. Names of past and current employers

2. Address and phone numbers of past companies

3. Titles held

4. To and from dates of employment

5. Starting salary-ending salary

6. Supervisor’s name and phone number

7. You references contact info (3 personal -3 professional)

8. Reason for leaving (tread lightly on this last one-*****See P.A.R.'s for leaving below).

By taking this initiative, I can guarantee that you will look considerably more professional and organized, rather than a scrambler chaotically hunting for all of the necessary info and haphazardly emptying out the contents of your suitcase purse (nothing worse than tampons and lip gloss rolling across the reception floor by accident).

You will more than likely go on more than one interview so keep this info sheet handy.

Remember all eyes will be on you from the minute you walk thru the door.

The truth of blank spaces on an application screams I have something to hide!!!

So fill them all out (legibly), and if you happen to be one of those rolling the lie-detector-dice, may the force be with you.

*****Perfectly Acceptable Reasons to put down on an application for leaving an employer:

relocation

long commute

career growth opportunity

offered position with competitor (risky, but might make you look like a hot commodity)

career advancement

conflicting schedule

company restructure

laid off due to economy (this is o.k. to put down…the bad economy is not a state secret, just be careful how much you use this line as they might become suspicious if used on every line).

NON P.A.R.’s for leaving an employer:

I hated my supervisor

got into fist fight with co-worker

Office Manager didn’t like me

Harassment suit pending

they don’t pay good

got caught stealing

incarceration

Christmas party incident

got fired

walked out

I can explain

wouldn’t let me take off for my birthday

they said I was late all the time- but I wasn’t

not closed on President’s Day and I needed off

misunderstanding

caught me on my cell phone in the restroom

change of management

....... and my personal favorite..I don’t know.

Sad but true, I have personally seen all of the above reasons listed on applications. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

INTERVIEW MADNESS

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