Lying on Your Resume: Some Perspectives

[Arnox]

I saw a very interesting take on YouTube a while ago that was brought to my mind again and I think it would make for some good topic fodder. Now, the first thing you may think of when you hear someone lied with their resume is, "Fuck that guy. What a dishonest piece of shit." And in some regards, I think that is indeed correct, however, if you KNOW that you're fully qualified for a position, and the only thing that's missing is you don't have some inane certificate or two to fully prove it, is lying about that kind of thing still wrong?

Employers lie all the time in both the interview process and even the job listing. It's also pretty clear sometimes when some HR manager who has absolutely no idea what they're doing, writes up a bunch of absurd or even literally impossible requirements (for example, a listing says you need to have 30 years of JavaScript experience when the language has only been out for a grand total of 27 years) for a job. Bonus points if the pay for this position is below market standard.

Ultimately, I don't really have an answer to this. I guess you gotta do whatever you think is right, but I am interested in hearing what other people's positions on this would be.

 

[Houseman]

if you KNOW that you're fully qualified for a position, and the only thing that's missing is you don't have some inane certificate or two to fully prove it, is lying about that kind of thing still wrong?

Yes.

If a company has such strict requirements such as needing to check off 100% of the "requirements" listed on the application, then you don't want to work with that company, as it's made up of a bunch of soulless bureaucrats who won't treat you as human.

Employers lie all the time in both the interview process and even the job listing

Two wrongs don't make a right, otherwise we're no better than Hitler.

Ultimately, I don't really have an answer to this.

You are skinned and thrown about like a sheep without a shepherd.

 

[Battousai]

You bullshit them and they bullshit you, its a neverending cycle and you are ultimately making a deal for your employment. Sometimes you need to fake it till you make it, because you can be sure as hell the human resources will try to fuck with you with the requirements.

 

[Arnox]

You are skinned and thrown about like a sheep without a shepherd.

Well yeah, but we're talking about resumes right now.

 

[gaijinkaiju]

I think it depends what you're lying about. If it's something small, like why you quit a previous job, how are your people skills, do you work well under pressure; then yeah, go ahead everyone does it.

 

[Scrawny The Ghost]

In a competitive society it's not wrong when the only morality really is doing better than someone else, it's not even really illegal and some people even lie to the government bodies about their experience to be able to operate a medical facility when they just made all their credentials up

which I think ultimately is more "wrong" than on a resume because obviously you aren't telling your customers the truth or one of them would probably report you. My dad lied about knowing how to use a sandblaster to get a job once (sandblasting)

he had no idea what that is and went to a rental store and asked the guy how to use it and the dude showed him so $50 rental fee or whatever it was and he became a 10 years experienced sand blaster and did it for years after that, I guess he was just a natural. I wouldn't go that far myself lmao

Did Elizabeth Holmes "lie on her resume" I think it's really only a problem morally or legally if someone is being scammed or there is some angle of fraud involved beyond simply lying to get the job and then going to work every day and just being a normal worker

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

I agree with Houseman.

 

[Drathnoxis]

And that's the reason that all our managers are useless morons. Because they KNOW they are qualified for the position and make up whatever BS they need to in order to get the job. Doesn't change the fact that they are useless morons, though.

Two wrongs don't make a right, otherwise we're no better than Hitler.

Was going to say this... Well, minus the bit about Hitler.

 

[Myoxo]

If you lie on your resume, and your employer is unable to catch it, then you should *really* look for a new one. That level of lassitude is simply unacceptable. As such, it could be a good litmus test, but then again, if your employer passes the test, then you do not.

However, why lie when you can bullshit? For example, you did not spend two years in your mother's basement playing video games, you successfully engaged in an immersive, strategic digital entertainment experience, leveraging interactive media technologies and navigating complex virtual environments, for a duration of two highly productive years, enhancing cognitive agility, problem-solving prowess, and fostering synergistic teamwork dynamics. Neither did you serve a prison sentence, you engaged in an intensive, institutionally structured personal growth program, characterized by an immersive environment fostering self-reflection, resilience-building, and conflict resolution skills development, for an extended period of time, resulting in enhanced introspective insights, adaptability, and a newfound appreciation for societal norms. And you sure as hell were never a destitute drug addict living under a bridge, you experienced an unconventional, minimalist lifestyle that embraced an urban dwelling arrangement, characterized by a unique exploration of self-sustenance strategies and alternative means of resource allocation, fostering a profound appreciation for the dynamics of urban resilience and unconventional survival methodologies.

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

If you lie on your resume, and your employer is unable to catch it, then you should *really* look for a new one. That level of lassitude is simply unacceptable. As such, it could be a good litmus test, but then again, if your employer passes the test, then you do not.

However, why lie when you can bullshit? For example, you did not spend two years in your mother's basement playing video games, you successfully engaged in an immersive, strategic digital entertainment experience, leveraging interactive media technologies and navigating complex virtual environments, for a duration of two highly productive years, enhancing cognitive agility, problem-solving prowess, and fostering synergistic teamwork dynamics. Neither did you serve a prison sentence, you engaged in an intensive, institutionally structured personal growth program, characterized by an immersive environment fostering self-reflection, resilience-building, and conflict resolution skills development, for an extended period of time, resulting in enhanced introspective insights, adaptability, and a newfound appreciation for societal norms. And you sure as hell were never a destitute drug addict living under a bridge, you experienced an unconventional, minimalist lifestyle that embraced an urban dwelling arrangement, characterized by a unique exploration of self-sustenance strategies and alternative means of resource allocation, fostering a profound appreciation for the dynamics of urban resilience and unconventional survival methodologies.

It's crafty, for sure. But should we really stoop down to the level of politicians and bureaucrats? ,)

 

[Myoxo]

It's crafty, for sure. But should we really stoop down to the level of politicians and bureaucrats? ,)

If that's what it takes to get on the inside? Yes, yes we should.

I have had to deal with HR at my current job only once, and that was during the employment process. Still, the bureaucratic, arrogant, petty narcissists nearly drove to rescind my application. They were that bad. But once inside, the place was pretty neat! Everyone universally detests HR, and agrees that the place would run so much smoother without them, but here we are. HR in general are like roaches; ugly, disgusting, impossible to get rid of and continuously multiplying in dark corners. But nothing is perfect, so I rather choose to live and let live if that is what it takes to land an otherwise nice vocation. In order to get to that point, I had to jump through some rather denigrating hoops. It sucks, and some people would rather walk out then and there. I respect their choice, but in my book, integrity is more than just blindly following your internal rules. Rather, you have to be honest with yourself and true to your ideals *over time*. Can a little short term humiliation pay up in the long run, even if you detest taking shit from assholes? Often, yes. If you weigh the pros and cons and make a conscious decision about it, it does not feel quite as bad.
So yes, I will happily stoop down to "their level" if the reward is adequate. A long term and desired employment justifies licking a couple of boots and/or booties.