Stretching the truth on your CV or LinkedIn profile is a risky game – just ask Rachel Reeves – and one that can ultimately backfire and damage your career prospects. While the temptation to embellish or outright fabricate qualifications might be strong, especially in a competitive job market, experts warn against it.
Recruiters like us often see the scatter-gun approach of our competitors as something of a blunt tool that can push candidates to misrepresent themselves. So, we always implement stricter checks, or even better, re-evaluate our Candidates’ CVs altogether, to foster a more honest and human-centric approach to hiring. After all, the best Candidates are usually those who genuinely fit the company culture, which is something a fabricated CV can’t truly capture. And we know that our Clients often check a Candidate’s social media; and are always more vigilant with CV content for red flags like inconsistent dates, unexplained employment gaps, and discrepancies between job titles and claimed experience. So who are we trying to kid anyway? If we’re caught stretching the truth, it never bodes well!
In today’s competitive job market, the temptation to embellish or outright lie on a CV or LinkedIn profile is a real concern, and a surprisingly common practice. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of job seekers – including those in the highest profile Government jobs it would seem – have misrepresented details, from fudging employment dates to claiming false qualifications, all in pursuit of landing their dream job. Another example is when an actor says to a film director that they can ride a horse, only to be confronted by a REAL horse on their first day of filming! We are, however, always clear on what we think should be done and honesty is the best policy. While a minor “tweak” might seem harmless, the consequences of getting caught can be severe.
Employers are increasingly vigilant, with many explicitly stating honesty and truthfulness as a precondition of employment. Discovering a lie, even after employment has begun, can lead to immediate dismissal for gross misconduct, as lying erodes the fundamental trust necessary for a healthy working relationship. The potential legal ramifications and reputational damage, as showcased in high-profile cases, far outweigh any perceived benefit gained from a fabricated LinkedIn profile or CV…just ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer!
