You could see a job posting and think, “That job sounds perfect for me!” yet you might not have the ‌training, experience, or credentials to apply. Although many companies would advise you to apply anyhow, you might wonder if lying about your skills, training or experience might increase your chances of acquiring the job.
This might come as a surprise for some people, but a StaffCircle study found out that many people actually do lie on their CVs as over one-fourth of the 1,500 respondents interviewed admitted to lying.
Lying on your CV can substantially negatively affect both the individual and the employer. To advance and expand, businesses are constantly looking to hire new talent. Therefore, it may be disastrous for a company to mistakenly hire someone who is not who they claim to be.
According to the survey, the age group most likely to lie was 25 to 34-year-olds, and this was then followed by the 35-44-year-olds, and 18-24-year-olds, but why did they lie?
Lies Regarding Experience
51% of respondents acknowledged lying to appear more experienced than they were. It also includes candidates claiming to have left a previous job when fired, making up relevant experience.
Candidates know that the more experience they have, the more likely they will get hired. Conversely, companies may not contact talented people for interviews if they do not have the required job experience as adequate proof of expertise.
Lying to Change Your Career
18% of those surveyed lied to switch careers. An employee could decide to take a different professional path for various reasons. Personal preference, work-life balance, professional flexibility, or financial gain may motivate a career in a new field or position.
On paper, though, switching careers is simpler than in practice. It might turn into a daunting undertaking without the necessary industry expertise. Candidates pursuing positions in a new industry may claim to have worked in a field that they haven’t actually worked in.
Lying Regarding Salary
In the recruitment process, 26% of the respondents gave false information regarding their prior salary. A candidate may exaggerate their last pay to appear more senior during the interview. By using this strategy, they can negotiate a better pay rate.
Lying for A Remote Job
62% of people who claimed to have lied in the past said they would be more prone to lie for a remote position. Working remotely gives employees freedom and the chance to organise their day better, increasing efficiency. A major advantage of working remotely for individuals and businesses is higher productivity.
Given these benefits, it is not strange that entirely remote positions are in great demand. Businesses may benefit from this, as it will be simpler to discover the best applicant now that location constraints are gone.
But besides being mindful of candidates who exaggerate their accomplishments, HR professionals must also make certain that the candidate has the self-discipline necessary to perform their job remotely.
Drawbacks of Lying on your CV
The research by StaffCircle reveals that many job seekers who fabricate information escape punishment. 42% of workers said that lying to employers during the hiring process offered them an advantage, implying that they got a job that, if they had been honest, they might not have.
However, most individuals confessed to lying and said they had no employment benefit because of an untruthful hiring procedure. Is it worth the risk to lie on a CV when 58% of applicants believe there is no benefit to lying during the interview process?
Although it could be alluring, lying might seriously harm a worker’s reputation. 14 of the 1,500 applicants who acknowledged lying throughout the hiring process faced legal action.
What can be done after hiring an employee?
After hiring an employee – even one who has lied throughout the recruitment process – one of the effective performance management strategies that organisations can implement is by using the Bradford Factor calculator.
This enables management to get an idea of frequency patterns of how often somebody is absent through work via sickness. And if there are employees who have lied during the recruitment process, it begs to ask too – do those employees also lie about when they are ill?
Conclusion
Lying during the recruitment process can be an effective way to get a job, but it’s also risky. If you’re caught, you may not only have the opportunity for the job you wanted but also any other opportunities that are available to you. It’s important to weigh the risks and benefits of lying before making a decision.