Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume
"Everybody does it" as they say. Face it, the job market can be
a very tough place to compete. If everyone inflates their
experience then how can an honest person get a job?
Well, as tempting as it may be, you do NOT want to risk lying on
your resume.
Whether it's personal information, job experience, or schooling
- employers are finding new ways to sniff out liars and you
don't want to be one of them.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
While some information may not be easily verified, information
such as a criminal record, can be very costly to you in the
event it is checked out. With sites like rapsheets.com you can
never guarantee that an employer won't be able to find the
information, even if your employer is hiring you for domestic
work and is not a business.
JOB EXPERIENCE
Clearly this is not the place to boast about fake employment as
you are going to list the businesses you worked for which may be
contacted for verification. As this is the most likely area your
interviewer will do a check on, avoid misrepresenting yourself
at all costs.
EDUCATION
Think that nobody will notice if you slip in an education you
don't really have? Perhaps you do have the skills, but you can't
afford to claim education you can't provide proof of.
EmployAct.com is a new service that will allow employers to have
background checks - similar to criminal or credit checks - to
verify your claim.
WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE
With all that said and done, how can you create a resume that
will highlight your skills and abilities without needing to lie?
Give yourself credit. Your skills in the workforce can be
weighty indicators of your ability to work in a given job. You
may not know what an employer is looking for. With many jobs
that don't require a particular expertise, you many find that
they are looking for people who are able to learn on the job.
Proof that you have gained skills as a worker (or even a
volunteer if you're just starting out) can be very valuable.
Be certain that you focus on skills. Expand your descriptions.
Do not say 'I worked in an office', rather say 'I was
responsible for answering the phones in a professional manner
and directing calls to the proper departments. In a busy work
environment I was able to multi-task by providing supportive
administrative assistance to the head receptionist including
maintaining a filing system, processing inter office memos,
delivering documents in a timely manner, directing clients to
their meeting appointments and providing relief reception. I was
quickly able to learn the filing and switchboard systems as well
as create good working relationships with fellow staff.'
As you can see from the above example, it is perfectly
acceptable to elaborate on your skills, but do so in an honest
and ethical manner. If you need help you can find software
programs which will give you suggestions on wording depending on
the position you are describing or you can hire someone who
writes resumes to help you. Have confidence in keeping the job
you are sure to get by doing it right the first time.
John Higginbotham has been on the internet for over 6 years and
has extensive knowledge on internet marketing. He writes to
motivate his audience as well as educate them on various
subjects. You may visit his website at
http://www.degree-online.info/.