Lying on Resumes

I thought you might be interested in some of the thoughts of Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA Career Center at the Northeastern University College of Business Administration, on the issue of lying on a resume:

Employers:

• More and more employers are doing employment and degree verification. They are either calling themselves or using an outside agency to do the verification. Organizations are more cautious and would rather find out up front. Obviously any falsifications result in withdrawal of the offer.


• We see more employers also doing online checking. They google the person at a minimum but several are also checking facebook and other social networking sites and will withdraw offers for inappropriate conduct. There is more information available about people online today so the resume must match or it is easily spotted by investing a few minutes online.
  

Employees (students):

• 
  We stress with students that they have to be honest in their resume. Anything factual can be verified and they assume it will be - dates of hire, positions held, degrees conferred, etc. Don't embellish or you cost yourself the job.


• It is often harder for the employer to verify specific accomplishments but the risk of overstating them is too high.


• Truth in advertising is an important concept. Setting realistic expectations is critical in the interview process and later in salary negotiation.


• Best advice - always tell the truth then you don't have to worry about keeping your story consistent or people finding outside evidence to the contrary.