Resume Padding

Although one can make an innocent typo or mistake when compiling a resume that doesn’t get caught during proofreading, intentionally misrepresenting credentials can get you into serious trouble. Resume padding has been in the news again lately as Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson was recently fired for claiming to have both a computer science and an accounting degree. According to a recent blog Resume Padding: What’s the Problem?, “The judgment and ethics of the individual who has perpetrated the lie are called into serious question, spurring concerns about the reliability and trustworthiness of that individual in other areas of his/her work and life. If an individual can justify lying about something on the resume to get a job, who’s to say he or she wouldn’t decide that other lies are equally justified down the road somewhere? Where does the line get drawn?” Employers have shared with us that from time to time, it may come to their attention that an employee misstated information on the application materials. This is typically grounds for dismissal.  Bottom Line, edit your resume and never overestimate your credentials. It will eventually catch you.