Should I lie on my CV?

It can be tempting to exaggerate, bend the truth, or even downright lie on your CV.

Whether it be:

• the length of your employment

• your job title

• the responsibilities you had/have

• the skills you've acquired

• the qualifications you have

• the grades you have

• hobbies and interests

  
  

While it's true that it may not be such a big deal to lie about something like hobbies and interests (if they are largely irrelevant to the job you are applying for), the rest IS A BIG DEAL.

Although, I would say that if you feel you don’t have existing hobbies and interests you want to put on your CV (and feel you must make some up) – just leave that section off!

Potential employers ask for specific skills, experiences, and qualifications for a reason, and if you are found to have exaggerated or not told the truth on your CV, it can have huge consequences.

It can lead to criminal prosecution, employment termination, damage to your own professional reputation, as well as an impact on future employment opportunities (including securing good references).

The Fraud Act of 2006 states that false representation or fabricating qualifications or work experience is against the law, as well as the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act of 1981, where if you are found to have falsified documents, it is also against the law.

There are certain things you can write on your CV that wouldn't be perceived as lying. Certain things you can be more ‘vague’ about.For example, if you have disappointing grades from school — disappointing GCSEs, for instance — you don’t necessarily have to state your actual grades. It is acceptable to say something along the lines of, ‘9 GCSEs achieved’ (if you achieved lower grades than you would have liked) or ‘standard secondary education achieved’ (if you didn’t take/pass any of your exams).

There really is no need to lie. If you need a specific set of skills, qualifications, or experiences for the job you're applying for and you don't have them all, potential employers would much rather you be honest about it. You can instead focus on your transferable skills, qualifications, and experiences that you do have and how they would work in the role that you're applying for.

If you match a lot of their criteria, they may be willing and able to train you to gain the necessary qualifications for the job (on the job).Of course, it might be that you simply don't have the right skills, experiences, and qualifications for the job. And if it is a role that you want to do, you can look to work towards gaining the skills, qualifications, and experiences that you do need and then apply for a similar role in the future. You can also look at the gaps that they're asking for and see how you can fill them.

Ultimately, you don’t want to be in a role based on untruths and be worried about being ‘found out’. You don't want to be faking it and potentially be struggling in a job that asks for specific qualifications, experiences, and skills that you haven’t yet got. It’s also not fair on those who have been honest and worked hard for those skills, qualifications, and experiences asked for.

Be your own authentic self and embrace what you have achieved to date in life and in your career.