It’s often been said that honesty is the best policy but when it comes to managing your career, some lies may actually help you land your next job.
“It’s about downplaying the negative, accentuating the positive and leaving out things that could potentially be red flags to potential employers,” says Peter Harris, editor-in-chief of Workopolis, the country’s largest online job site.
Of course, you should never lie about technical abilities you lack that are required to do the job. “There’s no point getting hired for a job you can’t do.” Nor should you lie about educational or professional qualifications you haven’t earned.
But there are some lies you may need to tell in order to get hired for a new job, Harris maintains, including the following:
Lies of omission
If you worked somewhere for a very short period time, if the job ended badly or you burned bridges on your way out, leave it off your resumé. “Your resumé doesn’t have to include everything you’ve ever done in your career,” Harris says.
“It’s a marketing document to get you an interview for the job you want so list the stuff that’s positive and relevant to that job.” Remember, a potential employer may choose to contact all employers listed on your resumé, even those not included in your references.
Interests and hobbies
It’s not necessary to list interests on your resumé but if you’re going to use that space, make them relevant to the posting. If you see pictures of employees participating in a charitable event on the company website, consider including an interest in charitable work on your resumé.
“But if everything on the company website about the corporate culture is stuff you can’t stand, you also don’t want to lie your way into a job you won’t like,” Harris says. “You want to make yourself look like a good fit, but you have to be somewhat of a good fit because you’re not going to succeed if you’re not happy.”
Your greatest weakness
Don’t shine the spotlight on your inability to accept criticism or other glaringly negative trait. Rather, point to an “innocuous weakness” not relevant to the job and talk about how you’re working to remedy it.
For example: “I sometimes get nervous presenting to large groups of people; however I’ve joined Toastmasters and am working on my public-speaking skills.”
“That shows you’re self-aware and proactive,” says Harris.
Your honest opinion of a previous boss
By far the most common reason people leave their jobs is because of their relationship with their manager, but that’s not something a savvy job seeker wants to share with a potential future boss.
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Accentuate the positive: “My boss was a great leader and I learned a lot from working with him.”
“Badmouthing a previous boss will leave a prospective boss wondering what you’re going to say about him next,” says Harris.
Team dynamics
Nobody likes everybody and there are “difficult personalities” at every organization, but spilling secrets sounds negative and may even leave a prospective employee wondering if you may have been the problem. Simply say: “I had the privilege of working with a great team.”
Reason for leaving a previous job
Being laid off because of cutbacks is one thing but leaving because of a personality conflict, you are bored, don’t get paid enough or because the commute is unbearable is another. Instead, Harris suggests saying: “I’m perfectly happy with my current job and doing great, but this opportunity came along and is the career goal I’ve been working towards.”
“That’s what employers want to hear,” he says. “They want to hire someone who is passionate about working for them specifically rather than just trying to land a gig.”
Common half-truths, exaggerations, lies
According to a recruitment office survey of Australian employers, 82% of respondents believed job candidates lied or exaggerated their skills and experience on their LinkedIn profiles. Also according to the survey:
67% believed job titles and responsibilities in previous roles are the most unreliable pieces of information
15% believed periods of unemployment to be untrustworthy
12% ranked education and qualifications as the most likely sections to be fabricated or embellished
To view the survey, visit smartcompany.com.au/technology/information-technology/31209-linkedin-job-seekers–exaggerate–profiles—how-to-spot-the-lies.html#
