Thinking of lying on your resume? Don’t do it. In the most recent example of resume fraud, Robert Irvine, host of Dinner: Impossible, was fired for “embellishing” his resume with claims that he made Princess Diana’s wedding cake and worked in the White House kitchens.
Creating an inaccurate picture of your competencies and accomplishments will only hurt you in the end and the punishment will either come in the form of a lost interview opportunity or worse, a lost job and a damaged reputation.
Everyone has success stories that are powerful enough to convey their value-add to an employer. But you need to put in the time to think introspectively about your achievements before you can develop a winning resume. Think about how you have helped the companies you supported make money, save money, save time, grow the business, keep the business, bring a new product to market, or complete projects on time and on budget. Use numbers, dollars, and percentages to validate your accomplishments whenever possible.
Authenticity is probably the most important quality you can display to a prospective employer. Without trust, you will never be able to build the rapport necessary to win over the hiring manager and secure the job.
Stay true to yourself, and keep it real. Create a resume and interview strategy that highlights your strengths and does not include any fabrications. Once this is achieved you can confidently interview and find the position that is best suited for you.
