Made a mistake on my CV, now I can't go back

theone999

thebigbopper wrote: »

I could try speaking to my old employer but I'm not going to put them into any sort of position with this.

Think I just have to face the music with it. If they decide to bin me, I can't have any complaints.

the thing about a lie is that you have to see it through to the bitter end.

ask your old employer to change the dates.

prowla

It's not uncommon for someone to forget to update their c.v. to mark the end of a role; we're recruiting and on last week had two postions marked xxxxx-present.

However, fibbing to cover it up is probably a bad ploy.

You can't go back in time now, but the correct thing would have been to say it was an error. (Actually, travelling would probably not have been a negative anyway.)

Best of luck, either way!

robatwork

You can be sure of one thing.
Sometimes references won't contain any opinions eg. bopper was a great worker, but they always contain the dates worked - these are a matter of fact.

When we send references, sometimes that is the only thing that we actually put on them. Hopefully future employers can read between lines.

That being the case - you made a mistake by lying in the interview - it's much more serious than making an error on your CV. Personally, I would withdraw from this job.

andygb

A couple of months ago, I was asked by my jobcentre advisor to "tailor" my CV for every job I appled for, which would have basically meant falsifying the CV through leaving jobs out and changing dates. It would also have meant leaving out jobs (over ten years ago) which were full of important experience and systems knowledge.
I prefer to take the honest route, because I would hate to be caught out in an interview.

thisuseridistakenagain

Come clean, and ruin your chances. I'd say withdraw actually - tell them you have found something else. They will find out later and you will get the sack- not a good look on your CV and also could ruin your chances at other interviews if your name gets around.

andyGB- When they say 'tailor your CV' I thought that meant say if I apply for a job in mcdonalds I write lots about my previous job in KFC and less about the time I worked in Primark. If I apply to work in New look I write not a lot about KFC and loads about Primark - So there's not loads of info on there which that employer wont be interested in and they might see the relevant experience on the first glance.

I actaully work in HR. You're right, I wouldnt take out any jobs from the 'timeline' because I reference at least the last five years for every employee and that would expose any incorrect dates - and the applicant as a liar. But I would knock off the older ones if the CV goes over two sides of A4, nobody's got time to read an epic. If the last job is most relevant discuss it in the cover letter.

I always hated taking the advice of staff at the jobcentre - Do you have the prefect job do you!? Yeah I bet its great pay and conditions in here!

xapprenticex

thisuseridistakenagain wrote: »

I always hated taking the advice of staff at the jobcentre - Do you have the prefect job do you!? Yeah I bet its great pay and conditions in here!

Its not that bad actually, high pressure at times but fellow staff make it a laugh.

shortcrust

thisuseridistakenagain wrote: »

I always hated taking the advice of staff at the jobcentre - Do you have the prefect job do you!? Yeah I bet its great pay and conditions in here!

Well it seems they have to deal with some rather condescending clients, so perhaps you're right.

prowla

I agree - tailoring the c.v is bringing out the points relevant to the particular role being applied for - it could be as simple as listing the skills in a different order.

andygb

thisuseridistakenagain wrote: »

andyGB- When they say 'tailor your CV' I thought that meant say if I apply for a job in mcdonalds I write lots about my previous job in KFC and less about the time I worked in Primark. If I apply to work in New look I write not a lot about KFC and loads about Primark -

It is quite funny that you should mention Primark, because our local branch was advertising and the jobcentre advisor said that I should put in for the vacancies, saying that I should really make a point of highlighting my "retail experience", which is - absolutely NIL:rotfl:
The truth is, that employers do not want people who lack specific skills, for instance a person with niche financial knowledge - systems and rules, applying for a job in Primark, Morrisons, Boots etc.

SillyOne

How bad was the "play along"? - Did you actively say things suggesting you are still working for that company (e.g. On Mondays we have this customer who.....) or just go along with questions about responsibilities and such?