Is embellishing your resume ever okay? ABC Radio National with Sarah Dingle

Topic: Is embellishing your resume ever okay?

Date: 29 December 2022

Media Outlet: ABC Radio National https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational

Broadcaster / Interviewer: Sarah Dingle

Duration Total: 00:09:19

Time of show: 08:45am

Audio Recording: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/is-embellishing-your-resume-ever-okay-/101813170

Further information

What are the essential checks that need to be done before employing senior level employees?

Ideally you need to build a level of trust in the application process to encourage the person to divulge anything that may be of concern to the organisation. Being upfront and honest can solve a lot of heartache in the future. Apply the principles of GRC – governance, risk, compliance and explore these in detail. There are background check organisations that can assist. Speaking to people who may know them outside of their referees can also be helpful (mutual connections on LinkedIn) and following up with people who have previously provided recommendations on LinkedIn can also be helpful. Don’t just rely on the referees they provide.

How many people are still doing reference checks? What are the alternatives?

It often depends on the level of the position and some people will just look at LinkedIn Recommendations, ‘trust their gut’ or ask people to complete an assessment task or a formal assessment process. Some people rely on the ‘we can let them go within the first three months’ but this is very costly to the organisation that has to rehire in three months. If the person gets past the first three months, it can be very expensive and time consuming to let them go after that even if they qualify for dismissal.

What would you do if you found someone had lied on their application?

Personally, I would tell them and immediately advise that their application will not be considered either now or in the future. However, some people I have worked with have still brought them in for an interview and wasted everyone’s time. Professionally, I would also verbally advise them of the benefits of telling the truth and let them know that there are other ways to manage the situation and encourage them to seek personal support going forward.

Whilst most people still think of applying for jobs with a resume, how important is having a LinkedIn Profile for job seekers?

Essential as this is the main tool used by recruiters. Who wants to write a job ad, get it approved, receive unwanted applicants and some good ones, process them all etc etc. Much easier to find a candidate on LinkedIn and approach them directly – so telling your story online is essential – if you can’t tell, you can’t sell – or if you don’t describe the details in the database, you can’t be found in the database.

How important is a digital presence? If someone is a very private person, can they secure a senior role without a digital footprint?

Most senior executives are expected to have a comprehensive LinkedIn Profile and ideally, their own name website! So this puts people without one at a disadvantage. Some industries are still operating on a hand shake, but this is fading quickly. If people search online and find information, ironically they ‘believe’ it more than if you provided it to them! Even if you lied!! A significant digital presence is also a good risk management strategy for the one person who hates you countering the hundreds who like you.

What are the risks of lying on a resume or application for work?

In most cases, you will eventually be found out…but it is also very tiring to have to keep up appearances and remember all of your previous lies. I would suggest that a better tactic is to learn what will get you a job (as the skills to get a job are different to the skills to do a job) and then you can secure aligned work much quicker and faster and know that you did it ethically. You can learn the ways to get ahead, it may take a little longer, but you won’t have to worry about covering your tracks. The journey will also improve your background story.