5 CV untruths recruiters should watch out for

One third of candidates in the UK aren’t completely honest on their CVs – a trait 51% of employers say would be enough for them to can the candidate’s job application altogether.

And, the situation’s getting trickier for recruiters. 33% of employers say they’ve seen an increase in embellishments since the recession ended in 2009.

By learning to spot the most common fibs and taking the time to validate CV statements, you can identify the potential Pinocchios and filter them out from your initial shortlist of relevant applicants. This will save you a heap of time later on.

These are our top five untruths to watch out for:

1.      “I’ve worked for the best in the biz”

Candidates might do a little unscrupulous name-dropping of companies they haven’t actually worked for to grab your attention.

Check their LinkedIn profile and contacts to find out if these companies match up. Even better, you might be able to see what sort of impression they made while working for these companies.

2.      “I’m an up-and-comer”

It’s easy to drop ‘Junior’ from a job title, or upgrade an executive to a management role. It’s also tempting for candidates to exaggerate the work they did for a previous employer.  

55% of employers say embellished responsibilities are among the most common fibs they spot on candidate résumés, with a further 34% citing inaccurate job titles.

If you’re suspicious about supposed seniority, speak to their referees. Really test their mettle with some competency-based questions and see whether their poker face drops when explaining previous roles in detail.

3.      “I left on great terms”

No one’s proud of getting fired, and it can happen because of factors outside of a candidate’s control. But, that’s no excuse for a cover-up.

Be clear in asking why they left their previous job and check to see whether their old boss makes the cut on their references list. If not, why not?

4.      “I’m fully qualified”

Qualifications are proof of a candidate’s ability and can help employers stick to regulatory guidelines.

Exaggerating a degree or qualification is cited by 33% of employers as one of the most common CV untruths that they spot.

A 2:2 can easily be inflated to a 2:1 and an extra GCSE is just a tap of the keyboard away, so always ask for proof of qualifications when these matter to the role.

5.      “I’m also an athlete, philanthropist, community leader who speaks French”

Candidates might say they play a sport to give the impression of good teamworking, or highlight their charity work to suggest a caring side. They may even boast about multi-linguicism to impress you. Truth is, there are only so many hours in a day.

Ask about the specifics of their hobbies (how long they’ve been doing it/how many hours a week they dedicate to it etc.) to dig a little deeper, and don’t be afraid to check relevant social media pages to see whether these ‘passions’ get a mention. If speaking a different language is a deal-breaker for the position, you can test their proficiency with a simple online test (such as Language Testing International’s ‘Oral Proficiency Interview - computer’) to see whether they could actually use the language in the workplace.

So, there you have it: 5 of the most common ways candidates might try to embellish their skills and experience to land a better role. Keep an eye out for all of them and you’ll soon separate the honest Joes from the frustrating fibbers!