Posted by John Poldoian on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 @ 04:16 PM
Losing a job opportunity or getting fired is as simple as one date modification, title embellishment or educational misrepresentation on your resume. Unfortunately, resume lies are turning up more and more in the hiring room.
A recent study conducted by CareerBuilder.com found that while only 5% of workers admitted to embellishment on their resumes, 57% of hiring managers reported uncovering discrepancies on candidate's applications.
Below are the top 9 resume misdemeanors according to Forbes.com:
- Lying about getting a degree
- Exaggerating numbers
- Increasing previous salary
- Playing with dates
- Inflating titles
- Lying about technical abilities
- Claiming language Fluency
- Providing a fake address
- Padding grade point averages
While these may seem minuscule at the time they are committed, they are essentially lies told to potential employers and will almost always ruin your chances with the company at hand. If you are able to slip by and do get hired, should your true employment history be revealed down the line, it is grounds for immediate termination - whether it be one year or five years later, you will be terminated.
One candidate that worked with John Leonard lost an opportunity because he altered his salary at a specific company. When doing a simple confirmation with the company's human resources department, it was uncovered that his earnings were less than indicated. The result was that his candidacy was immediately pulled and John Leonard is no longer able to represent him.
To avoid such a circumstance, be truthful when putting together your resume! Presenting yourself in a clear, concise and professional manner on paper is what will generate interviews and ultimately job offers.
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For additional tips on the job search, visit our Survival Kit page. There you will find Resume Help, Interview Prep Tips and other Helpful Resources.
Posted by Jill Gaynor on Tue, Jul 20, 2010 @ 05:58 PM
Applying for jobs has never been easier - log on to a job board, find the jobs you like, upload your resume and click "submit." Unfortunately, landing your dream job is not as simple. Millions in the US are unemployed and hundreds are sending their resumes to the same exact position you are. Therefore, one must break the mold and try new approaches to getting noticed.
Three Quick and Easy ways to Get Noticed:
1. Be Knowledgeable.
Do not blindly send your resume out to every listing in hopes that one will be a match. Do your research first. Know what you are applying for, customize your resume to reflect the exact position at hand, and detail the skills you possess in order to be successful within that role.
2. Keep it Simple
Remember, employers' in-boxes are flooded with responses; to make sure that yours is seen, keep it simple. Format your resume to flow chronologically and use bullet points. When possible, have a one (1) page resume with action verbs describing what you have accomplished at each job.
3. Follow-up
One job listing generates hundreds of replies. Don't let your resume get lost in the bunch. A follow-up call will show your level of interest and get your resume a second look.
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For additional tips on the job search, visit our Survival Kit page. There you will find Resume Help, Interview Prep Tips and otherHelpful Resources.