lying on a CV/Interview

dag_2

Just be aware that if you lie on a CV or an application form and you are later found out then that would constitute grounds for dismissal.....

Course - I still think it's better to run the risk of dismissal than not get the job in the first place - after all, even if you get dismissed, you're still no worse off than you are now. The only exceptions are jobs that involve clinical or medical specialist knowledge. If you lie about your qualifications for these sorts of jobs, you could end up in prison for it.

I agree with Katiepops - confidence goes a long way. The more interviews you have, the better you'll get at doing them. I also think that doing voluntary work helps - because it gives you something to talk about in your interviews for real jobs.

But I disagree with what Kate says about personality. If you believe your personality is stopping you from getting a job, you might become defeatist about it, which will destroy your confidence, and become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

I think you don't have a problem with your personality. But if you think you do, then I'd advise you to see your GP about it, who might refer you for cognitive therapy in an informal, relaxed setting. They certainly don't throw you in the lunatic asylum and pump you full of drugs for minor personality problems these days, like they used to.

Another thing to note is that lying on a CV/Giving false references can lead to criminal proceedings against you, as it can be seen as gaining pecuniary advantage by deception.

In theory, yes - but in practice, it very rarely happens. And when it does happen, it's only in high profile cases, where there are other circumstances - for example, you've been embezzling, or where you're unqualified in a clinical speciality. And I think that at your level, you don't have to worry about it.

Let's be realistic - if every Starbucks cafe tried to prosecute all their part-time minimum-wage employees for saying nice things about themselves on their application forms - then everyone would leave, Starbucks would get a rep as a bad employer, and the business would shut down! My point is, employers won't rock the boat unless they absolutely have to.

I honestly think it's just a lack of confidence on your part. That's why you think that saying nice things about yourself makes you a liar and a fraudster. Truth is - it doesn't. Let your light shine. If you don't tell anyone else how good you are, no-one will know.

Hope that helps.

nemo183

When I first saw this topic, my first thought was - don't do it - it's fraud.

Then I realised that my reaction was based upon my previous experience of 20 years spent recruiting in the world of investment banking - where it is now true that even a tiny fib on your CV (e.g. putting a bit of a polish on your GCSE grades - even if you graduate with a first) - will get you found out and probably sacked.

I don't think I've seen such a common sense post such as Dag's almost ever on this topic. I think it says it all. Great posting.

Murtle

in your years of dealing face to face with customers in the hotel, did you never pick up a phone?? internal or external.....

if so, it's not lying.... Just watch out for the next question, how many calls were you taking a day?!

Good luck, I don't advocate lying on your cv, but I also believe that if you are articulate enough to post the question, you are capable of answering calls!!!

Fran

dag wrote:

Course - I still think it's better to run the risk of dismissal than not get the job in the first place - after all, even if you get dismissed, you're still no worse off than you are now.

This might sound fine, but what are you going to say and what is your employer going to say when you go to try to claim benefits because you haven't found a job and have no money, about the reasons for leaving that job?

littlemisscheap

If you are well capable of doing a good job then silly insistences on experience of swatting a fly are in my opinion ridiculous. However, call centres are unique, in that it depends what type of call centre you have worked in and which job you are applying for. Why? Well call centre staff frequently have strict requirements on security clearance and if you have passed one before you will most likely pass one again subject to the fact that you have not defaulted since the last one. Also a lot of regulation regarding what you can/can't say and data protection of individual's details not to mention every word often being recorded and digged up if needed.

Just so you know, that on Tuesday I was turned down for an IT job that was pants in terms of salary and job itself. My work experience has involved working abroad at times so I am not in your average job skills as such yet I did not feel I could afford to turn a job down after zero income for months but despite this what got me was that I had no interview just some pathetic assessment centre jumping through hoops crap can you write an email test yet on Wednesday, I have not only found my ideal job, but it also comes with a 16k difference in salary and is in London but does involve flying abroad at times. It's not always bad news being turned down! Sometimes the jobs are pure rubbish in the first place.

tammy_3

i know someone.........my mates ex boyfriend, i never really liked him he was a bit of a conner, well he got an accountancy job in several firms, and said he had passed his exams and was qualified.........well the truth was he had not even taken the course! he'd merely had some exp on his degree and it wasnt even an accountancy degree...........he bul!!!!ted on his cv- what he did was when he was working for an accountancy firm (im not sure what he was doing) he saw someones certificate, he took it, photocopied it, tippexed out the name and then typed in his and applied for jobs and "faxed over " his cert as proof of his qualifications........i really did want to grass him up but my mate was too loved up, as it happens he also took her for a ride and kept her hanging on thinking they were getting married when really he hadnt the slightest notion and ended up having an arranged marriage with someone else without telling her!!

sorry for the waffle on the end but basically i think this was too much blagging......but i think the slighest bit of bull!!!! doesnt matter, in fact i did it yesterday at a n interview, but remember dont bite off more than you can chew!

Allexie

dag wrote:

Course - I still think it's better to run the risk of dismissal than not get the job in the first place - after all, even if you get dismissed, you're still no worse off than you are now.

Supposing you are found out say six months or longer into the job and are dismissed. It's unlikely that you would get a reference from that company if you are dismissed for deception. How would you explain that part of your work history to another prospective employer, (or as Fran says, to the benefits people)?

Nile

Lying on a cv or at an interview? I would say don't do it. Tell the truth, be honest and be able to sleep at night.;)

I've been caught out at an interview situation:o , when the interviewer asked me a question (about their company and their products) I couldn't answer it. I didn't get the job but it taught me a valuable lesson........preparation.

Prepare for the interview.......and do some research about the company.

katiepops_2

dag wrote:

But I disagree with what Kate says about personality. If you believe your personality is stopping you from getting a job, you might become defeatist about it, which will destroy your confidence, and become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

I wasn't meaning to imply that the OP's personality stopped him getting the job, I was trying to get across that sometimes interviewers take an instant dislike to you for one reason or another, and if that's the case you could be the most highly qualified person there is, but you most likely won't get the job - because let's face it, if you hate someone on sight you're not going to want to work with them. You know, I used to be articulate before I had kids!

Lying on your CV is never a good idea! You can, however, 'big yourself up' by how you write your CV, but still remain truthful. For example, if you'd worked in a shop but were looking to get a job as a hairdresser's receptionist, you'd want to focus on your customer service skills ... so, you'd want to write things like 'experience of handling and resolving customer enquiries and complaints' even if that meant that a customer asked you where the tea bags were and you showed them!

The fact is, employers are definitely more interested in someone who appears interested and willing to learn new skills. NEVER say just 'no' when an interviewer asks if you have experience in 'x' aspect of the job - dress it up so that although in essence you're saying no, what they actually hear is that you have very little experience but would be eager to learn and develop.

Kate

justpaper

Murtle wrote:

in your years of dealing face to face with customers in the hotel, did you never pick up a phone?? internal or external...

if so, it's not lying.... Just watch out for the next question, how many calls were you taking a day?!

Good luck, I don't advocate lying on your cv, but I also believe that if you are articulate enough to post the question, you are capable of answering calls!!!

on my shift u wouldnt get on incoming calls and external calls where void in the interviewers eyes

thats kinda funny thats what her next question was,

==========================

what i found dim was the interviewer didnt even take into account that talking to someone face to face is harder then answering a call, too me C/S is C/S even if its over the phone or face too face there is no special gift that i know of

i think some ppl are getting the "lying" part twisted, i dont agree with ppl that tell huge lies such as faking there educational backgound too land the job,
but editing ur CV with a REF/ too get some small "experience" in my case Handling calls and u know u can do the job,. its A OK in my books,.

as for dismissal i dont think that would happen in such a small case like mine,

as for me liking it if some one went for the same job as me and told a lie on a REF not on a Course etc and got the job then fair play too them