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8 Ways People Are Lying on a Resume (And Why You Should Never)

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Adding overinflated achievements and making up work experience are some of the most common ways candidates lie on resumes, but here’s how they get caught…

Some of the most common ways candidates lie on a resume involve embellishing past or current responsibilities, adding overinflated achievements, making up previous work experience, and rephrasing job titles. For the record: you should never straight out lie on a resume. Instead, focus on highlighting your genuine skills and qualifications. Address any gaps or concerns in your cover letter. Can you stretch the truth a little bit, though? Umm… “Not really. Maybe. It’s classified.” More on that below.

There are about 6.98 million people in the US who are unemployed, according to Statista. 

With competition for jobs being high, some candidates may resort to lying on resumes in hopes of standing out and securing a role.

But just because others have done it—or because it’s more common than you might think—doesn’t make it a smart move. 

Your job isn’t the only thing at stake. A single lie can damage your reputation, destroy trust with employers, and may even affect future opportunities. 

People Lie on Resumes—Some Will Always Lie, but Few Know the Consequences

Fact: people lie on their resumes, and it seems more and more are being encouraged to lie. 

If you’ve searched about lying on a resume online, you might’ve come across posts sharing a similar stance as the Reddit thread below. 

Popular Reddit thread about lying on a resume

And honestly, I hear the pain behind this post. 

Unfortunately, it’s absolutely true that:

  • Many companies have unrealistic hiring expectations, e.g., expecting candidates to have 3–5 years of experience for an entry-level position.
  • Companies often look for ways to replace existing employees to reduce overheads and make more money.
  • Many managers don’t care about your needs, but only the needs of the company.
  • Some companies seek candidates with a certain level of skills, experience, and qualifications for an unfair salary. 

Knowing all of that might convince you that lying on a resume is justifiable, but the truth of the matter is that it’s never worth it in the long run. There are other posts you might come across that claim it’s okay to lie on a resume for the same reasons as discussed in the thread above, but let’s break it down. 

Making up everything and exaggerating your skills

Slightly exaggerating your skills? Sure. It might be okay, provided you’re able to back up the skills you claim you have with genuine experience or achievements that prove your proficiency. 

But completely fabricating your skills to try and level the playing field? That’s downright risky and going too far. 

Even if you planned out your backstory, experience, and personality, getting caught isn’t worth the risk of damaging your professional reputation and the potential risk of affecting future opportunities. All that effort would be better spent on actually understanding how to write your resume to present your best self on paper. 

The legal consequences of lying on a resume and companies finding out that you weren’t fully honest

Technically speaking, lying on a resume isn’t illegal, unless you forge documents or claim professional qualifications and licenses that you don’t have. In these instances, you could face serious legal consequences, including fines or even jail time. 

For most other lies, the consequences are less dramatic but still significant.

If you’re caught, you won’t just run the risk of being shamed. Your name could be saved in their records so that you’re immediately disqualified from any future applications. That’s already bad if it happens with a single company. If you’re caught by an external recruiter, a single lie can stop you from getting jobs with multiple employers—all those who use that recruitment agency.

Justifying lying on a resume due to unfair treatment from companies

The hiring process can certainly be unfair, and it’s true that companies can easily dismiss employees, regardless of your contributions and how long you’ve been with the company. 

And it makes sense why that could be a justifiable reason to lie on a resume—because companies are always looking to cut costs and make more money, even if it means laying off loyal employees, hence, it’s almost like returning the favor by doing what’s in your best interest.

I don’t entirely disagree with this sentiment. After all, it’s true that companies will do what’s in their best interest and not yours.

However, in my opinion, it’s still not worth running the risk of lying on your resume because the consequences can outweigh the rewards. 

Should You Lie on a Resume? No, and Here’s Why

It’s your choice at the end of the day. Sure, you might end up landing a job you might not have otherwise landed (though that’s highly unlikely)… but lying on a resume is a decision that could take longer to recover from than how long it would normally take to find a job as an honest professional if you’re caught. 

From damaging your reputation to facing possible legal consequences, the risks far outweigh the potential rewards.

As Lucas Botzen, CEO and HR Expert at Rivermate, puts it: 

“Integrity in a job is everything; lying kills trust even before one’s employment date. The concern when hiring a ‘misrepresentation applicant’ is not only with the competency level but also with the character, that may influence the team dynamics and company culture.”

Even if you’re tempted to drastically embellish achievements or fill gaps, employers have multiple ways of verifying your claims. So, focus on your genuine qualifications and strengths. Building a successful career starts with integrity and trust.

Why it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get away with lying on a resume

The odds of not getting caught lying on a resume are slim when you consider the full hiring and background screening process. 

Here’s how the hiring process typically uncovers dishonesty: 

  • Employers will check your employment history, educational qualifications, and certifications through official records or background screening services. 
  • Hiring managers may contact your references or previous employers to confirm job titles, dates, responsibilities, and performance. 
  • Practical skills tests and tasks can be assigned to evaluate whether candidates have the skills they claim. 
  • Employers compare resumes with LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, or other public records to spot discrepancies.
  • Detailed interview questions can expose inconsistencies, exaggerations, or dishonesty. 

In Lucas’ experience: 

“One candidate claimed to have started and completed a big project by themselves, but when I sat down for an interview with the candidate, they were unable to answer questions about the most elementary aspects of the project or describe their role.”

He continues:

“A reference check afterward revealed that their involvement was much more limited than what was described on the resume.”

George Fironov, Co-Founder & CEO of Talmatic Ltd, has also had a similar experience as Lucas. He recalls: 

“A candidate claimed proficiency in React.js but failed basic coding tasks. Their GitHub history confirmed minimal experience.” 

With so many processes in place to verify candidate information, inconsistencies and lies are often easy to spot. 

8 Common Ways Candidates Lie on a Resume

Here are the most common ways candidates lie on a resume: 

  • Embellishing responsibilities and tasks
  • Adding overinflated metrics and achievements
  • Making up previous roles and work experience
  • Rephrasing job titles
  • Including inaccurate dates of employment
  • Mentioning skills and software that you’re not actually competent in
  • Including academic details or credentials that aren’t true
  • Falsifying side projects and volunteer experiences

Below, we’ll go through what each of these mean, how applicants typically get caught, and what to do instead. 

Embellishing responsibilities and tasks 

This involves exaggerating your job duties, for example, someone who organized team schedules might claim that they “Oversaw cross-functional team operations.” 

Sure, it looks good on paper, but it’s a stretch that can quickly unravel during interviews when employers ask for specific examples or dig deeper into your work experience

Body language, hesitations, and vague answers will give it away. Hiring managers usually know what certain roles entail and can spot inconsistencies. 

Instead of exaggerating, focus on framing your real contributions in a positive light. 

Highlight the results you contributed towards to make it clear that you still played an important role. Following on from our example, a more honest resume bullet point that still sounds impressive could be, “Streamlined department scheduling to improve team productivity by 10%.” 

Adding overinflated metrics and achievements

Inflating accomplishments on a resume is another way candidates may be dishonest. 

You might claim that you “Boosted sales by 50%” when the actual figure was closer to 20%. Applicants do this to make their impact seem more significant, assuming bigger numbers will impress hiring managers. 

It’s fairly tempting, but it’s pretty easy to catch. Employers may ask for specifics or supporting evidence, like sales reports or references. 

A better approach is to simply include the actual metric you achieved. Even if it’s not huge and flashy, it still shows you made an impact, which is what employers want to see. Quantifying your achievements no matter how small demonstrates your ability to deliver tangible results. 

Making up previous roles and work experience

Fabricating work experience means listing jobs you never held, which some candidates do to try and fill gaps in their resume (usually due to a career change or break) or to look more qualified for the target role. 

An applicant might do one of the following: 

  • Add a fake organization
  • Invent job titles 
  • Claim experience at a real company they never worked for

This lie is extremely risky and easy to spot. A simple reference check to verify your employment is enough to uncover discrepancies. Never resort to adding false work experience. Focus on what you genuinely bring to the table. If you have gaps, write a cover letter to address them. Highlight what makes you qualified and anything you did during the time where there are gaps on your resume, such as volunteer work, freelancing, or taking relevant courses

Rephrasing job titles to try and impress employers

A flashy job title might seem like a smart tweak, but it’s a risky move. For example, listing “Marketing Manager” instead of your actual role as “Marketing Assistant” might make you look more influential, but employers are only one quick phone call away from verifying your title. 

And even if you reach the interview stage, hiring managers can gauge your true experience with a few technical questions. 

Rather than trying to sound more important by adjusting your job title, show how your contributions prove that you’re beyond your actual role. Highlight what you accomplished and the impact you made. Overdelivering in your role speaks louder than a title.

Including inaccurate dates of employment

Making up employment dates usually happens to make a career timeline look more consistent. What tends to happen is that an applicant might extend an end date to cover a few months of unemployment or overlaps. 

It may not seem like a big deal, but it’s often revealed in a quick background check. 

The good news is that gaps of up to three months aren’t usually a concern. For longer gaps, you can address them in a cover letter by explaining them transparently and highlighting any productive activities, such as freelancing or upskilling. 

Hiring teams are typically understanding of career breaks if you show you used the time effectively. Honest explanations not only build trust but also allow you to focus on demonstrating the value you bring to the role.

Recommended resources: 

Mentioning skills and software that you’re not actually competent in

Some candidates list software or skills on their resume that they’re not truly proficient in to match job description requirements. For example, claiming full proficiency of Excel when you only know its basic functions can be misleading. 

This type of exaggeration is easy to uncover—employers can ask detailed questions during interviews or test your skills directly.

Remember, you don’t need to meet 100% of the job description to be considered. You can still be a strong candidate and apply if you meet at least 60–70% of the job requirements. This is also a pro tip shared on Harvard Business Review

Focus on listing skills you genuinely possess and are confident in using independently. 

If there’s a skill you’re still learning but want to highlight, be honest about your current level and back it up with relevant projects or responsibilities. Showing a willingness to learn and grow is a trait employers highly value.

Including academic details or credentials that aren’t true

It might be tempting to add a degree you’re not pursuing, inflate grades, or claim any certifications you never earned, but this can easily backfire. A simple call to verify your educational background with institutions will quickly reveal any false claims.

Stick to the educational qualifications and certifications you genuinely hold. If you’re currently pursuing one, make that clear on your resume by listing it as “in progress” or including the expected graduation date. 

If a role requires specific qualifications and you lie about having them, the consequences can be severe (more on that later). 

Falsifying side projects and volunteer experiences

Similar to making up previous work experience, applicants might make false claims about side projects or volunteer work. 

Again, it’s quite easy to find inconsistencies by doing a reference check or asking specifics about the project, organization, and people involved. 

The Consequences of Lying On a Resume

Lying on a resume may seem like a shortcut to securing your next job faster, but the consequences are severe and long-lasting. 

Here’s what can happen: 

  • Employers can revoke a job offer if they find out you lied, even after hiring you. 
  • Dishonesty may result in immediate termination, regardless of your performance. 
  • Word spreads in professional networks, leading to a damaged reputation and making your job search harder than before. 
  • Loss of trust—employers value integrity, so once lost, it’s difficult to rebuild. 
  • Lawsuits, jail, and fines are possible consequences of falsifying credentials in some industries. 

It’s true that not all job descriptions are perfect, but lying on your resume only lowers your chances of finding the job you truly deserve. Focus on career opportunities that align with your skills and interests, and present yourself honestly. Building a career on trust and integrity is always the smarter path.

Legal ramifications

In industries where credentials are mandatory, like healthcare, law, and finance, lying on a resume can lead to serious legal consequences. Providing fake qualifications or licenses can be considered fraud or misrepresentation, which can lead to lawsuits, fines, or being barred from practicing in your field.  

Damaged reputation

Being known as a liar is obviously not a good thing. It could even prevent you from ever securing a role at the company you applied for. 

One interviewer shared on Workplace Stack Exchange how personal integrity is non-negotiable:  

Interviewer's experience with a dishonest candidate

If you're caught in a lie, job searches can become more challenging, as it creates doubts about your professional integrity and credibility. Not only can this affect how potential employers perceive you, but it may also limit opportunities to build meaningful professional relationships.

Summary

Let’s recap why lying on a resume is never worth the risk:

  • Exaggerating responsibilities or achievements is easily caught during interviews or reference checks.
  • Fabricating previous roles, job titles, or employment dates can unravel through quick background screenings.
  • Overstating skills or software proficiency is exposed through practical skills tests or interviews.
  • Falsifying credentials or qualifications risks legal action and permanent damage to your reputation.

Lying on a resume is no different than playing with fire since you could be putting your career and integrity in jeopardy. Employers value transparency and trust, and a single misstep can close doors to future opportunities.

FAQs

How to lie on my resume without getting caught?

The most realistic way to “lie” on a resume without getting caught is to subtly inflate the results or significance of particular responsibilities or skills. These tend to be a bit more difficult to verify, but it’s very risky and highly advisable to never lie on your resume. Employers can easily verify your credentials through reference checks, background screenings, or probing interview questions. A single inconsistency can cost you the job and harm your professional reputation—something you could have avoided by focusing on strong interview skills or showing genuine enthusiasm.

Can I get fired for lying on my resume?

Yes, you can be fired for lying on your resume. If your employer discovers something false on your resume, even years after hiring, it can be grounds for termination as it violates the trust they placed in you. Usually, companies have policies against misrepresentation, and in some cases, it may even lead to legal consequences. It’s far better to be honest and focus on highlighting your true qualifications to avoid jeopardizing your career.

What happens if I get caught lying on my resume?

Getting caught lying on your resume can lead to serious consequences. You could lose a job offer, be fired, or damage your professional reputation—all of which make it harder to secure future opportunities. Employers value trust and integrity, so a single lie can create lasting doubts about your credibility. In some fields, especially those requiring specific licenses or qualifications, it could even result in legal action.

Is it ever okay to lie on a resume? 

No, it’s never okay to lie on a resume. It might seem like a quick way to stand out and land an interview, but the risks are far greater than the potential benefits. Lies are often uncovered during background checks or reference calls. Even if you get the job, your employer could discover the truth later, leaving you back at square one with a damaged reputation, making it even harder to find future opportunities.

How often do people actually lie on their resumes?

Lying on a resume is surprisingly common. According to ResumeLab, as cited by Forbes, around 70% of workers admit to having lied on a resume. While this may seem widespread, it’s crucial to remember that such falsehoods are often discovered, leading to serious consequences that far outweigh any short-term advantages.

How do companies find out if I lied on my resume?

Companies can discover lies on your resume through background checks that verify your qualifications and achievements. They may confirm your employment history, education, and certifications by contacting previous employers or professors to check job titles, dates, responsibilities, and academic records. During interviews, hiring managers can spot exaggerations by asking detailed questions or administering skill tests. In some cases, discrepancies may surface after you’re hired, during performance reviews or through interactions with colleagues. With so many ways to verify your claims, honesty is always the smarter choice.

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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