Applying for a job is a daunting, no matter how qualified you might be. If you’re tempted to stretch the truth a little, you’re not alone.
While less than 15% of people admit to lying on resumes, an estimated 50% of resumes contain falsehoods. Now, I’m not sure how strict the conductors of the studies that found these numbers were being. If you don’t remember the exact date you finished a job last year, and you estimate and are wrong, does that count? But altering employment dates is small fish compared to claiming to have a degree that you don’t have. That takes cajones, as does falsifying references. I’m pretty nervous in job interviews, and knowing that I had lied on my resume on that scale would just make me a wreck.
While there’s not much you can do for experience or qualifications if you don’t have them, you can at least ensure that your resume looks dang good and is well organized. We’ve got an infographic that will walk you through the anatomy of an outstanding resume, so you can stand tall at your next interview.