Should You Lie On Your Resume?

Warning: Lying on your resume could cost you your job and your freedom.

Picture this. You're sitting at your desk working away happily at a company you've been employed with for ten years. You've had several promotions and you're now a Sr. Assistant Manager.

You've got your eye on a top management position, which everyone says you're a shoe-in to get. Your future looks bright, indeed. So, when the boss calls you into the office for something extremely important, you assume it's going to be really good news.

Instead, it's your worst nightmare.

Your boss hands you a letter of termination, and worse, you're told that you better get a lawyer. The employer is going to press charges against you for criminal fraud. Why is all this happening to you?

Suddenly it comes back to you. You lied on your resume ten years ago and did some funky things to back up your lie. Now it's finally caught up to you all these years later. But what's the big deal?

Lying on a resume isn't a crime is it?

Umm . . . Yes, it is. In fact, it's a felony.

It's an illegal act to lie on your resume about your credentials and intentionally mislead an employer by using measures such as hacking into computer databases or using toll-free phone numbers to verify false information.

If you're ever caught fabricating outright lies about your experience and qualifications, be aware that you could literally go to jail ? even 10 years after the fact.

Getting caught in these types of lies may be easier than you think. Employers are doing more thorough background checking on potential employees and current employees applying for promotions. If you say you have a B.A. or a Masters degree, they won't just take your word for it. Many employers will request a college transcript directly from your school to check if your statement is true.

So the next time you apply for a job either online or off line, remember that honesty is the best policy. By the way, it'll also keep you out of the slammer.

About The Author

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday writes employment related articles for http://www.get-a-job-interview-quick-tips.com.

---

The Top 10 Reasons to have a Career Coach

Many people in the last decade have experienced for themselves... Read More

Seeking A New Job While Currently Employed : Tiptoeing Through the Minefield

So, you currently have a job but you are looking... Read More

6 Vital Tips For Creating A Superior Resume

1: Keep It ShortConsidering that initially HR personnel only spend... Read More

To All Managers: How Does ADD Affect Your Workplace?

Tent caterpillars create a cocoon for an entire colony. Within... Read More

Mid-Life Crisis: Its Not Just for Men Anymore!

A recent story in Career Journal begins:"The "midlife crisis" has... Read More

Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer

So you've figured out, more or less what you want... Read More

Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?

Making a career change is nothing new in today's job... Read More

Should I leave My Job?

Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss

Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More

Who Do I Have To Kill To Get A Job?

I have had more than my amount of trouble in... Read More

So You Want To Be a Nurse When You Grow Up?

You're interested in becoming a nurse. How do you get... Read More

Six Sure-Fire Ways to Get Yourself a Pay Rise

Many employees do not care too much for their bosses... Read More

How to Write a Resume That Stands Out From The Crowd

Today's job market is competitive. Many companies receive hundreds of... Read More

The 5 Ps Of A Job Search

Step One - Plan:Most people spend more time planning a... Read More

How to Deal With Workplace Inflexibility

You've been a model employee: responsible, industrious, creative and productive.... Read More

How to Transform a Boring Note Into A Killer Cover Letter - Part I

The AIDA formula is as old as dirt. It was... Read More

Using Freelance Websites to Telecommute

How is your job hunting going? Have you had problems... Read More

Conflicts With Your Boss Are Inevitable, But Can Be Healthy

If you are a pro-active, get-things-done type, sooner or later... Read More

Planning Your Successful Career: 15 Ideas

"Doing a good job is one of the most important... Read More

Six of the Best for a Winning Resume

1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More

Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?

Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of... Read More

Career in the Toilet?

Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure,... Read More

Hello Work World, Im Un-Retiring

For many years, you looked forward to that day when... Read More

How to Reach Outside Yourself to Advance Your Career

When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound... Read More

Leave Your Dead End Job?For Good!

So here you are?stuck in a dead end job. Are... Read More