Lying on a Resume: Why It's Not OK and What Can Happen

If you’ve considered lying on your resume to give yourself a leg up during a job search, you wouldn’t be alone. According to our Job Seeker Insights Survey, nearly half of people (48%) have been dishonest or considered telling a lie on their resume.

However, if you get caught lying, you can hurt your reputation, get fired, or even be sued. Use our guide to learn what the most common types of resume lies are, and what to do instead.

Note: This page is regularly updated to include new data and best reflect current hiring trends. We outline our methodology here and also provide some context about who we are at the end of the report.

Is it illegal to lie on a resume?

It’s not illegal to lie on a resume because a resume isn’t a legal document. However, if an employer discovers that you lied about your qualifications, you could quickly lose your job or even be sued.

In many states, if you list a fake degree on your resume, then your former employer can sue you for fraud if they can prove that your lie hurt their business.

Should you lie on your resume?

The short answer is no, you shouldn’t lie on your resume. Lying on your resume is unethical and can have serious consequences.

However, several common misconceptions about lying on your resume lead some to believe it’s harmless or even necessary.

Misconception #1: There are no downsides to lying on a resume

This misconception often stems from a short-sighted view of career development and job seeking. According to one Reddit user:

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While this argument may seem logical at first glance, there are consequences to lying on a resume that far outweigh any perceived short-term benefits.

Getting caught in a lie can severely damage your professional reputation. If you’re fired from a job because your employer finds out you lied about your qualifications, this disqualifies you from receiving a recommendation for future roles, and will leave a significant gap on your resume.

Additionally, many industries have tight-knit communities, and HR managers at different companies may talk to one another. If you become known as a liar, then there’s a good chance you’ll struggle to find work in that industry again.

If your lie ends up costing a company significant resources, you can also open yourself up to a lawsuit.

Misconception #2: They don’t check anyway!

Many job seekers mistakenly believe that employers rarely verify the information provided on resumes. This misconception leads them to think there won’t be consequences for lying on a resume.

As one Reddit user says:

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This person may not check, but other hiring managers do. In reality, 95% of companies engage in some form of employee background screening. With the advent of digital records and professional networking sites, it’s easier than ever for employers to cross-reference claims.

Even if an employer doesn’t verify your claims immediately, they may check at any point during your employment, particularly when considering you for promotions or important projects.

Assuming that employers won’t verify your claims is a risky gamble that can have long-lasting negative impacts on your career. It’s always wiser to present an honest representation of your qualifications and experiences.

Misconception #3: You need to lie to beat the ATS

Many job seekers believe that they have to resort to dishonesty or keyword stuffing to get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), as this Reddit user explains:

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This misconception stems from a misunderstanding of how ATS software works and what employers are looking for in candidates.

In reality, lying or excessive keyword manipulation to beat the ATS is unnecessary and potentially harmful. ATS systems are designed to identify relevant skills and qualifications, and aren’t easily tricked by false information.

Additionally, while an ATS might be used by some companies to initially screen resumes, they’re typically used as just one part of a larger review process. This reality means that even if your resume is being scanned by ATS software, a hiring manager ultimately will review your resume to create an interview pool (assuming you’re qualified for the job).

What happens if you lie on your resume?

Even if it’s not illegal to lie on your resume, it’s still a bad idea. Statistics show there’s a good chance you’ll get caught, and then face consequences like:

• Immediate rejection: If discovered during the hiring process, your application will likely be immediately discarded. Many employers have a zero-tolerance policy for dishonesty.
• Termination: If the lie is uncovered after you’ve been hired, it often results in immediate termination. Most employment contracts include clauses that allow for dismissal due to false information on applications.
• Legal consequences: In some cases, especially for positions requiring specific certifications or clearances, resume fraud can lead to legal action. This might include fines or even criminal charges in extreme cases.
• Loss of credentials: For professions requiring licenses or certifications, discovery of resume fraud can lead to the revocation of these credentials.

The consequences of lying on a resume often far outweigh any perceived short-term benefits. It’s always better to present your genuine qualifications and focus on highlighting your true strengths and potential for growth.

Most common resume lies

According to our survey results, these are the 10 most common resume lies:

• Covering up career gaps (31%)
• Exaggerating the length of time they were employed in a job (30%)
• Lying about job titles (30%)
• Embellishing responsibilities (24%)
• Exaggerating educational credentials (24%)
• Lying about technology capabilities (24%)
• Fabricating how many people they managed (23%)
• Lying about the name of the company that employed them (22%)
• Making up an entire position (22%)
• Lying about language skills (22%)

While some of these are worse than others, each one counts as a lie to hiring managers. Employers have become increasingly adept at uncovering lies through background checks, reference calls, and skill assessments.

It’s always better to present an honest picture of your qualifications and focus on how your genuine experiences make you a strong candidate for the position.

@resumegenius Some candidates might be tempted to lie on their resumes, thinking that adding one or two skills they don’t have or changing their dates of employment won’t do any harm. 🤐 But even if you have limited work experience or want to stand out, lying on your resume is a bad idea, and you can face severe consequences. 🚫 If you want to read more about the topic, check out our article here: 🔸 resumegeniusDOTme/lying-on-resume #resumetips #resumegenius #careeradvice #jobsearchtips #jobsearching ♬ Just Groovin – Kingsbury Kids

3 tips to avoid lying on your resume

Making a resume that gets you noticed by employers can feel daunting, but focusing on being authentic will help you stand out. Here are some tips to keep your resume honest and effective:

1. Be honest about employment gaps

If you have gaps in your employment history, it’s best to address them head-on.

Rather than trying to hide or downplay them, explain what you were doing during that time.

You can include this information in your experience section or your summary statement. For example, under your work experience section, you could say:

Career Transition Exploration (March 202X – June 202X): Used this time to explore new career paths through online courses and self-study, focusing on gaining expertise in digital marketing and enhancing my data analysis abilities.

Being brief and honest on your resume lets you acknowledge the gap while showing how you stayed proactive and developed skills that can benefit future roles. Just keep your explanation concise and focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the gap itself.

2. Focus on transferable skills

If you feel like your experience doesn’t match the job you’re applying for, then focus on your transferable skills.

If you’ve worked in customer service, for example, you’ve likely developed strong communication, problem-solving, and multitasking skills — qualities that can be valuable in roles like project management or sales.

In the experience section of your resume, emphasize the skills you’ve gained that apply to the job you’re targeting. For example, if you’re transitioning from retail to marketing, you can highlight transferable skills like customer communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.

And in your resume’s summary statement, mention how your skills from previous roles make you a strong candidate for the position you’re applying for:

Including your transferable skills this way helps hiring managers quickly see how your previous experience aligns with their needs, even if your job titles don’t match exactly.

3. Tailor your resume wherever you can

Taking a few extra moments to tweak your resume for each job you apply to sounds time-consuming, but it can make a big impact on your chances of getting hired.

Make it a priority to carefully read your target role’s job description and pick out key skills and experiences they’re looking for. If they mention a specific software and you have experience with it, make sure to highlight that! If you don’t, focus on similar skills you possess.

Personalizing these points keeps your resume relevant and engaging, and it shows that you’ve done your homework.

The best resume templates for 2024

One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

View Resume Templates

Sources

• HR.com, “Background Screening: Trends in the U.S. and Abroad”
• Inc., “85 Percent of Job Applicants Lie on Resumes. Here’s How to Spot a Dishonest Candidate”
• Job Seeker Insights Survey, “How is Job Hunting in 2024? 1,000 Job Seekers Weigh In”
• Reddit, “r/resumes”

About Resume Genius

Since 2009, Resume Genius has combined innovative technology with leading industry expertise to simplify the job hunt for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Resume Genius’s easy-to-use resume builder and wide range of free career resources, including resume templates, cover letter samples, and resume writing guides, help job seekers find fulfilling work and reach their career goals. Resume Genius is led by a team of dedicated career advisors and HR experts and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and Business Insider.

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