Many job hunters feel they don’t have all the skills and attributes that employers are looking for. As a result, when writing their resume, they are tempted to expand on the truth to make them appear much better qualified than they already are.
Unfortunately, this is one way that will backfire on any person who does decide to deviate from the truth on their resume. Here’s why the importance of honesty shines through.
Background Checks and Why Employers Perform Them
A hiring firm knows well that a resume is only a quick summary of highlights of a person’s working background history. These firms continually screen candidates’ resumes and are experts at filling in the gaps for themselves to build up a bigger picture.
Companies could access lots of information online to perform these background checks. They can deduce what is written on the resume you submitted correctly, whether you held a particular position or gained a specific qualification.
This is also why employers ask for references, and just because you added a little padding to your resume doesn’t mean any of your referees will know to say this. You might also think you are the best candidate for the position, but again, this doesn’t mean others see you in the same light.
If Nothing is Found During Your Interview, it will be on the job.
You might whizz through your interview, even if the truth has been expanded, but when it comes to doing the job, you are expected to be able to do what was on your resume. Any discrepancy in information will be shown immediately. This is why it is so crucial to be truthful. Any small white lies you told during your interview to back up your resume will be seen. Then you will have a tarnished reputation if you do not stand a chance of losing the position you tried so hard to get.
Being open and honest is the best way, and you never know; you might still be the best person for the position without needing to bump up your resume with misleading information.
[cp_popup display=”inline” style_id=”1784″ step_id = “1”][/cp_popup]
You Will Miss Out on the Best Chance of Success
This is the one area you can ask yourself, why is honesty important? Everyone wants an excellent job to succeed, and the job you have landed might offer you the best chance to do this. But, the risks are much higher of not landing it if you get found out that your resume contains a few untruths.
Lying about things doesn’t bolster you in the eyes of an employer. It diminishes the things you can do and offers to the position. What you should do is highlight any skills and strengths you have and that you have the willingness to learn new things.
When you are untruthful in writing your resume, you will undoubtedly miss your chance in the seat to become a success. It can also prevent you from obtaining the correct tools and training for success. Why would a company offer them when they already think you possess them?
Why is it Important to be Honest?
Every candidate is different, and hiring companies want to see the natural person behind the resume they have received. When you can talk about your achievements without hesitation, it shows you know what you are talking about and are transparent with potential employers.
This makes good employees; they want to hire reliable and honest people. Deviate away from this; they won’t allow you to proceed much further. Doubts will be cast in their minds, and all your excellent work will be wasted on a few bits of information that aren’t you.
Here are a few tips on writing a great resume without needing to fill in some blanks with filler content.
Avoid the urge to overstate your achievements – You need to sound credible and would be a great asset to their company.
Avoid misrepresentation – This can be an innocent mistake, but the results will be the same. One example is if you worked in a team and took full credit for what you stated. It is better to detail your specific role within the team. Job titles and functions should be achievable because these employers need to know what you can and aren’t capable of.
Include relevant roles and activities – You might omit that you do volunteer work or help around the community. Include these rather than trying to make your past employment sound higher than it was. These other activities show your type of person and how you spend your free time.
Mind Your Language and Describe Yourself Accurately – Choose your words carefully when you describe yourself. You might be slightly reserved, but expressing yourself as energetic and extroverted won’t be very fitting. Focus on the traits of your personality that relate to the job.
Honesty is the Best Policy
How to write a great resume takes practice and hard work. For this reason, there might be the urge to say something in your resume which isn’t exactly as it should be. Many job hunters might not see they are doing it themselves.
A fresh set of eyes can highlight if you are sticking to what is truthful or you’re veering off-track, leaving yourself open to being doubted for the positions you apply for.
If you want to make sure you are accurate when writing your resume, you can contact resume writing services that are experts in finding out your honest side of you.
With a few simple questions, they know what to write and how to write it, so it does show you in the best light; this, of course, is the light that lets you shine.
