The particular Anatomy of the Fudged Continue and Its Outcomes
Resume embellishment, often referred to as “resume fudging,” is the act of exaggerating an applicant’s qualifications with excessive exaggeration. Fudging may appear to be an effective but risky tactic, especially for entry-level candidates eager to advance in their careers without investing the required time and effort.
In today’s competitive job market, where opportunities are scarce, many recent college graduates resort to embellishing their qualifications in a desperate attempt to escape unemployment. Although not all hiring managers may detect such dishonesty, candidates resort to inflating their resumes to navigate the challenging job market conditions.
Human resource professionals in the United States report that nearly half of all resumes they review contain some form of embellishment or padding. The prevalence of such cases has led several companies to implement stricter screening measures to identify applicants who are willing to go to great lengths to exaggerate their credentials.
Below is a brief list of how hiring managers and human resource officers can recognize when a resume has been embellished:
1. Inconsistencies in Competencies and Skills
Many candidates stumble when they first attempt to embellish their resumes. Hiring managers often cite inconsistencies as the initial indicator of a padded resume. For example, an applicant might claim proficiency in Adobe Photoshop but fail to provide specific details about their areas of expertise within Photoshop.
2. False References from Imaginary Professionals and Colleagues
Hiring managers can easily verify fake references provided by applicants. Checking or contacting the individual who supposedly provided the reference remains a practical approach. However, applicants have become craftier lately and may omit the name and contact information of the individual who supposedly provided the written recommendation.
3. Fabricated Job Titles and Unrealistic Responsibilities
Creating a compelling story is crucial when applying for a job. Applicants keen on securing employment invent various job titles they’ve never held before. Alongside these fictitious roles are extravagant responsibilities that even CEOs would find challenging or impossible to fulfill.
4. Phony Degrees and Pretend Academic Achievements
Candidates are well aware that employers are often impressed by individuals with impressive academic credentials. To make themselves more appealing, applicants sometimes falsely claim to hold degrees from prestigious colleges or universities.
5. Tweaking Resume Job Objectives
Candidates may alter their career objectives knowing that they aren’t genuinely passionate about the position they are applying for.
Once exposed, candidates may face severe consequences, including:
- Restricted job opportunities, as recommended by the HR official who reviewed the application;
- Online notoriety for the offense of resume embellishment; and
- Additional negative repercussions that can severely damage a career.
Chip Woodson has more than twelve years of experience teaching Business Communications and Personality Development.
Associated Articles:
Best Mistakes to prevent When Trying to get a Job
Mistakes Dedicated By Unskilled Resume Authors
