77% of jobseekers lie on CV, survey finds

The vast majority of jobseekers lie and more than three quarters falsify their qualifications to secure employment, while 68% exaggerate or tell blatant lies on their CV.

According to a study conducted by the employment law consultancy Peninsula Ireland, which questioned 1,021 employees, 77% admitted they had falsified qualifications.

Alan Price, managing director of Peninsula Ireland, said exaggerating qualifications on a CV meant you were lying to an employer, which he described as the worst way to start a new working relationship.

“Employees should have no reason to lie, getting a job is extremely stressful but do you want the added pressure of your potential employer discovering that you lied on your CV?

“It can be embarrassing and at worst it can cost you your job. We’ve found that it’s not just qualifications that are exaggerated but job roles, changing the dates of employment and tweaking job role titles are very much common.

“In the first instance employers should ask to see qualification certificates, actual proof that the grades were actually attained. It’s important for employers to seek references; it helps paint a picture of the employee’s previous employment ability whilst hopefully allows the employer to recognise that the employee is telling the truth.”

Mr Price said most employers take CVs and other statements by potential employees with a pinch of salt.

“Nine out of 10 CVs are binned by employers. Any good employer will regard a CV as a promise, not as a definitive statement of fact. A good employer can see through the lies, so it is well to remember local references are most important and it is best to be frank and truthful. Last year it was reported in China that 200 pilots falsified their flying hours in order to get lucrative positions, but they were quickly found out. Any good recruitment firm will weed out this kind of fabrication.”

Potential employees were not the only ones to lie, he said.

“Some employers tend to exaggerate, as well, and try and make the job seem more grand than it really is. The best advice for all concerned is to be open and frank.

“We also see many workers exaggerate where they have worked, what they actually did and what they were doing in-between jobs. There is no reason for employees to lie; they should be given the job on merit of interview, experience and of course providing they have the relevant skills and qualifications for the job.”

He said that if a worker had exaggerated the truth it could be hard to live the lie, especially if an employer thought the individual had the skills and abilities of which they boasted.

“My advice would be to tell the truth. It is easier to get the job on merit than on fabricated lies; it’s then down to you to prove yourself to your employer.”