Would you be willing to lie on your CV? A new survey found that 32% out of 1,500 people aren’t just willing to lie but have lied in the past. Findings like these provide a glimpse into the modern world of recruitment. What makes candidates lie and is it worth it?
The desire to land that dream job is real. It’s also becoming increasingly difficult. The current job market is competitive. There are more candidates fighting for entry-level jobs and companies are vetting their candidates with rigorous recruitment processes.
But perhaps not rigorous enough. According to the same survey, 93% of those who lied were not caught out after being hired. 63% would definitely lie again for future opportunities.
Why Would You Lie on a CV?
The temptation to lie is real. You face an increasingly competitive job market. Companies are looking for many years of experience and a long list of skills. Getting that interview spot can seem like Mount Everest. It’s not a big surprise to find these are the two main reasons people lie. According to the survey:
- 51% of people lied to cover a lack of experience
- 38% of people lied about their skills
- 18% of people lied to pursue an alternative career path
Over-exaggerating in your CV can seem like a harmless thing to do. It opens up the possibility of entering the interview process, where you can show your actual talents to the employer. It might even seem worth it judging by the number of candidates who didn’t get caught.
But some common lies appear even during the interview process. 26% of respondents said they weren’t honest about their previous salary later in the recruitment process. Embellishing your salary can boost your chances of negotiating a higher starting salary.
Can Companies Spot the Lies?
Companies might not have been good at spotting the lies in the past. But there are a lot more tools available to spot the liars. Tools, such as performance management software, can screen candidates and the existing workforce. It can identify potential gaps in skills and match the right talent with the correct role within an organisation.
The HR department could also employ a variety of vetting processes at each stage of the recruitment process. Performance-based testing can help ensure candidates have the skills they claim to have.
Reference checks make sure candidates can’t lie about their previous roles and salaries. Companies have a wide range of tools at their disposal – they just have to use them. Many of them also do. 14 people in the survey had faced legal action for lying.
Can Lying on Your CV Help?
Companies can spot lies even if some of them always don’t. The candidates who resorted to lies agree the benefits are not great. 58% of people admitted the lies didn’t give them a competitive advantage. The sweet, little lies didn’t boost their career success or land them specific advantages.
Lying on your CV can seriously damage your reputation in the job market. Companies can take legal action, and your name might end on a blacklist. The temptation to lie is real. 63% of respondents said they’d be tempted to lie again in the future.
The figure was prominent, especially for remote roles. But is risking your career worth it? It shouldn’t be. The truth is, you may even end up in a role you’re not the right fit for. It can hinder your success in the role and affect your wellbeing.
The Bottom Line
Staffcircle’s survey highlights the problems companies and candidates can face. The vetting system seems to work poorly sometimes. Companies need to invest in the right employee management tools to guarantee they spot the liars and find the perfect candidates.
But candidates also need to stay alert. Lying might be tempting, but it could ultimately land you in hot water. The better approach is to continue the grind. Keep developing your skills and honing your craft. You can land the perfect role if you keep your eyes on the ball and focus on performing well in the recruitment game.