The Truth About Overstating Achievements on Resumes: A Bidirectional Game of Deception

It is a well-documented phenomenon that many individuals tend to overstate their achievements on their resumes. This dishonest practice can take various forms, such as embellishing job titles, exaggerating responsibilities, or inflating accomplishments. While this might seem like a common strategy to stand out in a crowded job market, it is crucial to maintain honesty and integrity in the hiring process.

Reasons for Overstating Achievements

The reasons why people overstate their achievements on resumes can be varied and complex:

Competition

With a highly competitive job market, candidates may feel pressured to present themselves in the best possible light. This pressure can lead them to exaggerate their qualifications and experiences to stand out from the crowd.

Self-Promotion

Some individuals struggle with self-promotion and may believe that exaggerating their achievements is necessary to be noticed. This mentality can stem from a lack of confidence or an eagerness to ensure they are taken seriously by potential employers.

Cultural Norms

In some industries or cultures, it is more acceptable or even expected to boast about one's accomplishments. This cultural norm can influence individuals to engage in the practice of overstating their achievements.

The Risks of Overstating Achievements

While it may be tempting to enhance one's resume, it is essential to remain truthful and accurate. Dishonesty can have serious consequences during the hiring process:

Loss of Job Offers: Employers often carefully check candidate backgrounds and may discover inconsistencies in their resume, leading to the rejection of potential employees.

Termination: If a candidate is hired and later found to have exaggerated their qualifications or achievements, they may face termination of employment.

Deterioration of Credibility: Once discovered, the act of overstating one's achievements can damage an individual's professional reputation, making it harder to find future employment.

The Two-Way Street: Employers Exaggerate Too

Employers are not immune to the practice of exaggeration. They often present overly rosy scenarios and benefits in job postings:

Competitive Salary

A "competitive salary" may mean a lower-than-average salary compared to industry standards. Employers can use this term to attract more applicants while keeping their salary offerings low.

Flexible Schedule

What employers advertise as a "flexible schedule" often means that your schedule will need to adapt around the company's needs. This can result in an unpredictable workload, which may not always average out to a full-time position with benefits.

Fun Atmosphere

A "fun atmosphere" often means that employers will only entertain a casual work environment for a short time each year, typically with minimal benefits and occasional perks, like a pizza party.

First Day Benefits

Employers frequently mislead candidates by saying "first day benefits," which can often mean the same as a "flexible schedule." There are no additional perks beyond what a standard, first-day employee can expect.

Opportunities for Advancement

A "plenty of advancement opportunities" may mean that the only way to move up is to quit your job and start elsewhere. Employers might not have many genuine advancement opportunities for their employees, despite making such claims.

It is important to recognize that both job seekers and employers engage in this practice, creating a bidirectional game of deception. To navigate this environment successfully, job applicants must maintain honesty and integrity, while employers should be transparent about their expectations and offerings.