What do you mean you lied on your CV?

Lying on your CV has become all too common recently for a number of people. If you’ve been watching the apprentice lately, then you will have seen what potential questions employers ask about your experience. They’re interested in what you have done and that you have had the right amount of experience to progress in the role they are recruiting for.
I mean we all want to enhance our CVs, don’t we? Isn’t this just so we get a foot in the door and get that all important interview and chance? Absolutely, and the difference of not ‘tweaking’ your CV to make you an attractive candidate for the shortlist or not, could well be a major turning point. The importance of doing this cannot be underestimated, but blatantly lying about having a degree, or experience could end you up receiving a prison sentence for committing fraud – so you need to be careful.
If you’ve extended a 6 month placement to become 12 months, then I think you need to review what you’ve written – you’re not going to get anywhere if you’re doubling the amount of time you spent in different jobs – after all, you wouldn’t think of doubling your age now would you?
It’s quite common to slightly ‘beef up’ or ‘tweak’ your CV to ensure you have a fair chance against the competition, as you want to be able to get over the first hurdle of a shortlist. Be confident in your CV and your ability to write persuasively, you are selling yourself in your CV, but sell yourself the right way.

I always now go by what my Gran used to tell me – if you lie, then you better be ready for it catching up with you, because it will!

If you are looking for guidance on writing a CV, or just looking for a job in the UK, then Cummins Mellor is a great source for North West Jobs.