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[Forum Management]

We read a lot about how to make your CV stand out from the crowd. This fun poll (no names disclosed) aims to get an idea of how many of us are totally honest, how many exaggerate responsibilities/experience and how may got so far as to put in things that are not true.

[Luke Inout]

Wouldn't even think about it. I know that I would be found out if I exaggerated anything. I put in my jobs and achievements and hope that is enough. I suspect that I undersell myself in my CV but I've never failed an interview... possibly due to low expectations

[Chevy]

I would never consider putting something completely false on there. It would likely come back to bite me later when my previous experience didn't really live up to what they expected of me.

I have slightly exaggerated my responsibilities before, though, or used fancy terms for things that were rather basic. 

[Robin Tetley]

I certainly couldn't put anything false on my CV even if I wanted to.

I'd be to scared that it would be found out.

Besides if I can't get a job based on the real me and my real experience I'd rather not have it.

It seems like cheating in a game to win. You didn't actually win did you, you cheated.

[Bob]

I once was a team leader for a day. Just one day. On my CV for that job it says duties included being a team leader.

Is that an exaggeration?

[ktweeden]

I don't think I could lie, it would be just my luck that an interviewer ask me loads of questions about it and then I'd be found out. Sometimes I emphasise a certain aspect of my job that wasn't necessarily the main part in reality, but I think that's the point of CVs: targeting it to the job.

[Robin Tetley]

I agree fully.

[steven123]

I believe that slightly exaggeration is fine (and largely expected), but lying is likely to get you off on compeltely the wrong foot. The last thing you want when you start a new job is to have to maintain a front that is untrue.

[forum admin]

How would you differentiate between an exaggeration and a lie?

[Bob]

If I can jump in I assume an exaggeration might be...I greatly enjoyed my time with such and such a company when in fact you hated it and a lie would be I worked for this company when you actually didn't?