We all want to present ourselves in the best light, especially when it comes to applying for a new job, and while, in general, honesty is the best policy, sometimes job applications call for a little bit of “strategic embellishment.” While it’s important not to tell any major lies that can come back to bite you and damage your reputation in the long run, stretching the truth a little to smooth over some cracks can be beneficial. The job market is competitive, and candidates can be up against hundreds of other applicants, so in the “dog eat dog” world of recruitment, sometimes we have to use our wit and intelligence to get ahead. Here’s a list of 18 things you Should lie about on your CV.
Job Titles
Many candidates forget to tailor their CV to the specific role they are applying for, and this can lose them major points. For example, you can always adjust your previous or current job title to appear more aligned with the new role that you are applying for. This instantly signals to recruiters that you are a candidate who will already possess many of the skills they need, and hence, you’re more likely to be short-listed.
Job Responsibilities
Again, it’s paramount to remember the duties you will be required to carry out in the new job you are applying for when detailing your previous employment responsibilities. Instead of just listing your past job responsibilities verbatim, tailor them toward what you’ll be expected to do in the new job, and if this takes a little creative imagination, don’t be afraid to take inspiration from the job description.
Employment Dates
Employers don’t like gaps in a candidate's employment history, and it can damage your chances of being selected. Therefore, we suggest adjusting some dates of employment to smoothly cover any gaps. But, we must emphasize that we don’t recommend inventing any jobs that don’t exist or that you didn’t previously do.
Education
If you’re applying for a job as an English teacher, there’s no point talking about your Maths degree in your CV; instead, highlight your teacher training and Master’s degree in English Literature. You have to give the employer what they are looking for, and that’s relevant skills and knowledge that highlight your suitability and experience, which are aligned with the job in question.
Side Hustles
While you might think it will sound impressive and industrious to talk about how you manage an ice cream van on weekends for extra money, it’s better to omit details of other employment that might interfere with the main job you’re applying for. Candidates with businesses on the side often put employers off hiring them as it can create a conflict of interest, and employers can be fearful that you won’t be as committed to their company over your own side hustle.
Unusual Hobbies
Employers like to see hobbies on a CV, and they usually like activities that send messages of respectability, community engagement, and good social skills. Therefore, if you enjoy attending naked yoga classes, we strictly advise omitting any unusual or dubious hobbies like this from your CV, as these are likely to put employers off.
Rehab
Overcoming addiction of any kind and completing a rehabilitation program is an achievement that anyone should be proud of. However, your CV is not the place to talk about this life experience unless the job role is working directly with addicts and/or rehabilitation in some way. The reason for this is that employers are looking for stability, reliability, and indicators of a solid, dependable candidate who isn’t going to bring them any problems. Unfortunately, admitting that you have had a previous drug or alcohol addiction isn’t going to inspire most employers to choose you to work for them, as it can make them fearful about your reliability as an employee.
Redundancy
It’s better not to mention that you have been made redundant from your previous job on your CV, as this can be a red flag for some employers, even if it was through no fault of your own. We suggest omitting this detail and only discussing it in an interview if you are asked directly as here, you will have a chance to give more information and paint the situation in a better light.
Negative Explanations for Leaving Previous Jobs
Never talk about leaving a previous job due to conflict, or having resentment for your last boss, etc, as this can be a major red flag for employers. Instead, talk about how you felt that it was time for a change and that you were interested in progressing your career, even if you really did leave your last position because you had the worst boss in history.
Personal Information
If you are going through a divorce or struggling financially, this is not the place to mention it. Keep all personal and sensitive details about your private life off your CV. If you are successful in the role and require some support further down the line, speaking in confidence with your manager or human resources can be an option, but keep all of these discussions off the table until such time.
Negative Personality Traits
Your CV is a place to sell yourself in the best light possible. Think of it like an advert for how brilliant you are. Therefore, we only want to include details about our positive personality traits, and you should never talk about how you can be impatient or argumentative at times; absolutely not, omit these details ASAP.
References
It’s important to carefully think about who you will list for job references, as these can make or break an offer of employment. Therefore, if your line manager in your last job wasn’t your biggest fan, I would suggest putting down a different manager with whom you had a good rapport and who you know will give you a glowing review and not be a negative Norman about your performance as an ex-employee.
Previous Achievements
Remember that our CV is meant to highlight all of your good points, and it’s important to draw attention to all your best attributes to stand out and beat the competition. If you have won awards or completed extra training that applies to the role you’re applying for, highlight it in your CV. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to embellish some details and add a little cherry on top.
Relevant Skills
Now is the time to flaunt your skills and abilities; it is not the time to be shy and retiring. Talk yourself up, and if you need to fluff out some details and add a little je ne sais quois, go for it; remember, it’s survival of the fittest out there.
Periods of Unemployment
If you struggled to find a job for six months, it is better not to include this on your CV. Instead, consider filling in gaps of unemployment with something productive, like volunteering or community work. If you are questioned about this in an interview, then it’s ok, to be honest about being unemployed during this time, but putting your emphasis on how you used this time to gain further skills and help others in need by getting involved in charity work for example, can be impressive to an employer.
Being Fired
This one is a no-brainer. If you are trying to get employed, it’s better not to talk about how you were fired by someone else on your CV. This can be a major red flag for recruiters, and you will significantly reduce your chances of selection if you do. Instead, we suggest selectively omitting this detail and instead talking about how you felt it was time for a change and a new challenge as your reason for leaving your last role.
Failing at Anything
Employers are looking to select winners from a pool of applicants, not losers, and while failure is not an inherently bad thing, it does not look good on a CV. Remember, a CV is all about what you can do, not what you can’t. Therefore, if you failed your driving test, for example, an employer does not need to know this; instead, simply include that you are currently taking lessons and learning to drive.
Years of Experience
If the job you’re applying for requires four years of previous experience, and you only have three, then now is the time to be economical with the truth and stretch it to four.
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