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

thebigbopper

I recently applied for a new job, and like most people, tailored one of my old CV's and just sent it off.

Afterwards, I noticed it still said I was in my old job - March 2013 to present (I left a few months ago to go travelling) Then when the recruiter called, I felt I couldn't now go back and just played along, pretending I was still in my old job. Now, I've had another interview in person, and again, had to play along.

I feel awful about the whole thing but feel I can't go back on it now - I've dug myself a big hole. I never tried to cover anything up, I left my last job on great terms - have a great reference etc This was just a simple mistake that's got out of hand. I just want to come clean now, even if it does ruin my chances.

Does anyone have any advice?

elsien

You're probably gong to have to tell them. Because if your old job are giving a reference it might ask for confirmation of the dates you were there. But it may well lose you the job. Not for the mistake but because of not coming clean.

If you'd been honest in the first place, it would likely have been ok. Pretending you're still in the job to the recruiter and then during the interview was just silly and they're now going to wonder what else you might be telling porkies about. Your mistake was carrying the pretence on as soon as you realised.

Otherwise your only other option is to keep quiet and hope your referree doesn't let it slip. You then run the risk of mentioning your travel to your new colleagues at some point, and them wondering when you managed to fit it in.

thebigbopper

Yes, I agree - it's just I didn't mean to mislead. And it wasn't like there's any benefit to me for saying I worked there for a few more months - I had the experience regardless. Surely that will help my case?

It was just a really stupid thing to do. I'm half hoping I don't get an offer anyway so that will be the end of it.

elsien

The mistake in and of itself isn't really the issue. As an interviewer if I found out someone had misled me in that way, it would put me off because of the way it was kept up not because of the original mistake. When you say you played along, in reality that means you lied to the interviewer. They tend not to like that very much, however innocently it started off.
I don't mean to sound harsh, because you know you've been daft, but that's how I'd look at it. That, and that you're not able to acknowledge mistakes. But that's just my opinion - other people might see it differently.

ohreally

When in a hole, stop digging.

Your error isn't the end of the world, explain and hope for an understanding outcome.

thebigbopper

Cheers. I think if I do get the offer, I'm just going to phone the recruiter and let them know - even if it does mean the end. Better that than them finding out later on and booting me out when I'm in post.

[Deleted User]

Can you speak to the old employer now if it comes to it, as you say you left on good terms. Believe me that is something.

This was easily solvable at interview stage, though to be fair I only know this because of the times I have had to rectify a couple of recruitment agencies mistakes this way in the past when they have produced the CV, I remember the time a company was just missed off when the agent had took it upon themselves to omit!! also the time an employer attended the interview having previously printed of an old application CV - see it happens more easily then you are now panicking

Another thing is how many bosses keep accurate records, someone can easily without a HR dept be vague anyhow and then you could be stuffed that way. :cool::o

Will be interested in how it goes

thebigbopper

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.

TELLIT01

Making a mistake when updating a CV is easily and accidentally done. What I would find much more difficult, if not impossible, to forgive as a prospective employer is for the interviewee to compound that by lying at interview, not once but twice.
I really don't see how you are going to get yourself out of this mess.

thebigbopper

Fair comment.

When I didn't say after the first interview, I felt it was too late, like I just had to stick with it. Completely wrong I know.

What really annoys me about the whole episode is that the extra few months is so inconsequential. It gives me no advantage whatsoever. It's not like I lied about my qualifications or pretended I worked somewhere when I didn't. This is a pretty small detail in the scheme of things, but one that could potentially cost me the job.

Like I said, I'm now hoping I DON'T get it. If I do get an offer, I'll either tell them or just withdraw my application.

xapprenticex

tbf most of us have been in this situation but without digging ourselves into holes this big. you've decided what you're going to do, so there is nothing to add, good luck with it.