is it ok to lie on your resume to fill in a unemployment gap?

Question

ok i have not worked in 2 years been in school but my gpa is crap, and for some reason i am not getting a response to my resume with that empty space there.

Answer 1

No it is not OK to lie on your resume. Any good employer will conduct a background check and that includes employment history. If there is a discrepancy anywhere between what they find and what your resume states, you likely will be questioned about it and then probably not get the job because you lied. It's always best to be honest when seeking jobs, no matter what your reasons may have been for unemployment.

Saw your update regarding being in school during this time. Don't worry about your GPA for the moment. GPAs traditionally are only looked at when people are just starting their careers. If you already have real-world experience under your belt, that is what should matter because that's what's required to do the job.

It's OK to mention on your resume that you decided to enroll in school to further your education. A supporting statement would be that you wanted to grow your personal and/or professional development. I'm just guessing, here, so again it's better to tell the truth.

Hiring managers should recognize that everybody should take steps to better themselves professionally, and education is a way to do that. My company actually encourages employees to enroll in courses at local universities and colleges to help with their development.

Answer 2

No. This is a Bad Idea. Among other things, sometimes employers do fact verification. Finding out that a new hire has lied is a big turnoff, and can result in immediate dismissal.

If you need some techniques for explaining such a gap, go to the library and check out the book "What Color is My Parachute" and other employment guides. It has tips on dealing with such gaps on your resume and during interviews.

There may be some potential employers who are turned off by gaps, but I'd hope that these days it's less of an issue than it used to be. There are tons of people with gaps in their employment due to getting laid off, taking time off to have kids, or whatever. In other words, you have plenty of company.

Answer 3

The old saying of "honesty is the best policy" holds true here. Do not lie, you will be caught and then will be fired, and that will be much worse for your future as an employable person. If you have to explain an employment "gap," just be truthful, the person interviewing you always appreciates honesty the most. Good luck.

Answer 4

School is a very valid gap on your resume, regardless of your GPA.

If you need to lie, just say you were a student worker, and have a friend in a department verify it for you.

I lie on my resume (but not for my professional positions). I just make sure I don't burn any bridges.

I'm an engineer, but one year I worked as a secretary (due to a very bad job market). For that year, I listed an upper level engineering position on my resume. I had 3 references to back me up. In return, I had their back when they needed me.

Answer 5

The merits of lying is up to you; and you can do so at your own risk. However, depending on the lie, it could result in you getting immediately fired if you are found out.

Some people believe lying on their resume is worth the risk. I had a college professor who argued that in a situation where someone is one of the best at what they do and a lie is uncovered on their resume, they should be immediately terminated, regardless of their ability or work ethic. This generally isn't the case and most companies don't research your work history past the initial hiring process.

If you think you can get away with it, go for. But if you have aspirations to move up in your job, you could be uncovered.

Answer 6

as a former hireing manager - if u want to get hired yeah
as a currently i quit my shyty *** job yeah
because the biggest question is why i left my last job and what have i been doing all this time. For some reason unemployed means youre doing the illegal - seriously - and for me my boyfirend has been supporting me for the most but what cani say on my resume? i got good sex lol j/p but yeah lie, say you were helpin watch your necies and nephews over summer, dont say a sick relative cfuz im a firm beleiver evil will hear and then someone close to you will get sick - luck girl but lie cuz if you dont and ya dont have a good reason or excuse, u may not get the job anyway -i know its a foul thing to do.

Answer 7

take my advice..sometimes dishonesty is the best policy...i was out of work for more than 2 years but i did not put that on my resume..i just changed the dates around to make it look like i was only out of work for a few months..and i got hired and make good money!!! so take it from someone with experience..it is ok to lie a little on your resume because 9 times out of 10 they wont check anyway..just don't lie and say you have a bachelor's degree and you really don't..or that you went to college and you don't have proof..they do check for that

Answer 8

Its definetly not ok to do, morally and all. It is in fact possible, and it happens alot. Majority of resumes sent into college have some kind of fib in them. Usually not too big, but if it happens to be exposed, you can kiss your college or job goodbye. And possibly any other chance to apply else where.

Answer 9

nothing can stop you from doing so, but it isn't a good practice. if it gets exposed, you're out the door instantly, and word of mouth will start generating the story that you're not trustworthy or honest. when in doubt, stand strong with the truth, and be confident in your own abilities. just because someone was unemployed at some point doesn't mean they're not capable. it just means there was a period they didn't work.

Answer 10

I hate to say it, but I know a couple people that have lied on their resumes, and it got them the job. They are working right now, so I cannot say for sure it is a bad thing to do.