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Fake Resume: Everything You Need To Know To Spot One
Jun
The job market is increasing in competitiveness by the day, and with this increase comes the increase of people turning to a fake resume.
We understand that everyone wants to look best when applying for a job, however, creating a fake resume will never be the right action to take.
Smartening up your resume with a few exaggerating points may be considered okay by some, but filling up your resume with entirely fictitious points will get you in trouble.
You need to think about what kind of impression you want to make and what could be the legal implications of curating a fake cv.
In this guide, we will go over the consequences of making a fraudulent resume and you will learn how to spot a fake resume.
Is it OK to Fake Your Resume?
It is not OK to fake your resume, and even before coming across this article, you already knew that. But do you know why you shouldn’t lie in your resume?
It is not just that stretching the truth is unethical, or you won’t get the job if the employer catches your lie.
A fake resume could get you into serious trouble, which will last longer than your relationship with the company.
You have to display your best self while looking for a job.
So sell yourself with what employers are looking for, your most significant accomplishments or highest qualifications for potential recruiters.
But highlighting your qualities never means blatantly lying about your skills, work experience, references, and credentials.
We have listed down a few cons to help you avoid the temptation to lie on your resume.
What Are The Main Cons of a Fake Resume to Get a Job?
Great Opportunity Lost
Once the prospective employer finds out that you’ve created a fake job resume, there’s no chance of you being hired.
And, it can be pretty discouraging when your efforts to land a job backfire because of a fake resume.
You’ll never predict what might have happened if you haven’t lied on your resume. But, perhaps, an honest review might get you hired.
Damage to Your Reputation Because of a Fake Resume
If the employer caught you lying during the job process, the bare minimum consequences are severe damage to your credibility, other than losing the chance to land a great job.
Of course, the recruiters will assume that you’ll be leveraging other lies in the future.
Jeopardizing Other Employment Offers
A fake resume doesn’t just impact the current job offer. It could also jeopardize future employment opportunities.
For instance, if your previous employer has fired you for lying, you might find it difficult to secure other jobs.
In addition, it can be challenging to get hired when your history includes a termination for lying.
A Fake Resume Could Lead to Constant Trauma
Even if the recruiter can’t catch the fake jobs on your resume or your lie, you’ll still have to pay the emotional price for lying.
The anxiety of getting caught and the stress of keeping up with the lies will eventually take a toll during the hiring process.
Legal Action
Embarrassment is not just the only consequence of lying; you might also face legal action.
For example, the recruiter might press charges against you for defamation.
In addition, there are other circumstances where you could be charged with a crime for a fake resume.
Can I Make a Fake Resume?
Job hunting can be challenging, especially when you think you are not qualified.
Unfortunately, insecurity about your qualifications leads you to lie on your resume or create a fake resume.
You will find a lot of fake resume generators online, but it is not OK.
If your lie backfires during the hiring process, your reputation will be hurt, or you can even be sued.
What Happens If You Fake Your Resume?
Even if you get the job by lying, you will end up facing the following consequences:
Unable to Perform the Actual Job
Statistics have proved that lying about the skills is the most common fake resume element.
The main benefit of such false claims is that the applicant looks perfect for the job.
People think they have increased their chance of getting hired by ticking all the skills boxes. You might ace the initial procedure by doing this.
However, if you get hired, you won’t get through longer. Eventually, the truth will come out or worse if you get caught during a critical task where people count on you.
If you can’t perform the job you are hired for—the management will catch your lie.
Termination
If you have got the job after lying or faking your resume, you might end up getting terminated after a thorough background check especially when you lie about the most relevant requirement of the job.
For instance, if you have fake work experience on your resume in a field related to the job, you will be fired when the recruiter finds out about the falsehood.
In addition to getting terminated from your current job, you may find it difficult to land another job in the future as well.
How to Spot a Fake Resume?
It would help if you spotted fake or inflated resumes to avoid wrong hires as an employer.
Therefore, we have penned down some essential points to check to stay away from the mistakes of faulty hiring.
Vague Dates
If the resume is not fake, dates on project completions, training, volunteering, workshops, previous employment, and schools should be spelled out.
However, if they are unclear, overlapping, and hidden—there’s your first red flag. The candidates often extend the dates of jobs to cover up the dates.
Make notes, and ask them about these vague dates during the interview.
Unexplainable Gaps
When the applicant has precise dates but has gaps in between, ask them about the gaps.
These gaps could be anything from school breaks to parenting sabbatical. And a clear answer will help you in deciding.
However, when these gaps aren’t explained or have an acceptable reason that might be your clue that the applicant is lying.
Strange Job Titles
With the market changing daily, some new start-ups have unique job titles. Though, the candidate should be able to elaborate on them in simpler terms.
Therefore, always ask for an explanation when encountering unusual job titles.
Especially if the job title or company name is looking fabricated, make sure to do a background check.
Unexplainable Reason for Leaving Prior Employment
Candidates with an excellent reputation and work experience have no problem explaining why they would leave their previous jobs, as they know you can verify it from their employers.
However, if a candidate is reluctant to explain the reason for leaving the last position is a red flag—run a proper background check.
No School Name or Unclear School Name
The education section of a truthful candidate has detailed and precise information about all the institutions.
However, if the resume has abbreviated names and unclear locations, it’s an attempt to hide something.
To ensure that it isn’t a red flag, ask them for details about their education.
Fake Prior Companies
The best thing about checking the genuineness of a work experience is that you can always google the past companies.
If your research shows you that such companies don’t exist, the candidate has lied about the work experience.
Limited LinkedIn Connections
If the candidate has a polished and professional profile with a strong set of skills and experience working with high-caliber companies with minimal to zero connections and completely no recommendations — the profile might be fake.
Genuine candidates with real work experience in large corporations would most likely have strong recommendations from colleagues and management and many connections.
Short & General Responses When Interviewed Over the Phone
If you are contacting the candidate over the phone and they are not responsive or attentive, they are indeed questionable.
The truthful candidate will always be responsive and attentive rather than replying yes-and-no only.
Is Making A Fake Resume Illegal?
A resume is not a legal document, so it is not illegal to make a fake resume.
Can You Be Fired For Lying On Your Resume?
However, upon getting hired and after getting caught lying, you could get fired. With that being said, you could face the following consequences.
- Lying on a resume or job application is often considered fraud. You could face some serious charges ending up in fines or penalties.
- The company can also sue you for providing misleading information, apart from firing you.
- As different states have different laws regarding fraud, you might end up in jail in some states.
Is Giving A Fake Reference Illegal?
Fake references are completely illegal–especially if you get caught.
Directly lying about something is highly unethical, and if the employer sees you, you could face severe trouble.
Though companies don’t usually sue for lying, the people you have put on your fake resume list have every right to take some legal action.
Select people who can speak about your work ethic, skills, and qualifications, such as your professors, associates, customers, or colleagues.
It increases your chance of getting employed.
How To Make A Fake Resume: Can I Make A Fake Resume For Testing?
You will find many fake resume generators online, including the templates.
However, testing a fake resume with a legitimate company might result in later consequences.
Our Opinion on A Fake Resume
Given the unpleasant outcomes of lying, it’s hard to believe that anyone would risk creating a fake resume.
However, plenty of us understand that “desperate times call for desperate measures.”
It’s also true that desperation for the job might be tempting to lie about a few things on resumes.
It might even get you the job, but the truth always comes out. So, it’s better to stay honest, and you’ll get there.
Can you fake resumes?
You sure can. But should you? No. A fake resume could get you into serious trouble, which will last longer than your relationship with the company. If the employer caught you lying during the job process, the bare minimum consequences are severe damage to your credibility. A fake resume doesn’t just impact the current job offer. It could also jeopardize future employment opportunities.
Are fake resumes illegal?
A resume is not a legal document, so it is not illegal to make a fake resume. However, upon getting hired and after getting caught lying, you could get fired and the company can sue you for providing misleading information.
Can you go to jail for lying on your resume?
As different states have different laws regarding fraud, you might end up in jail in some states.