CV Truth & Lies

For anyone who is ever the slightest bit tempted to embellish their back-story with a little bit of creative CV writing, think again: little lies can come back to haunt you, with big consequences. It’s one thing to leave out some poor GCSE results, it’s quite another to add in achievements that were never yours in the first place. 

Anyone who has ever watched the penultimate episodes of the Apprentice will know what I’m talking about - there is something rather cringe-worthy in seeing a big-ego contestant get his or her comeuppance as their CV is revealed to have been economical with the truth. So often though, their reaction is not one of shame but incredulity - how were they found out?!

However as this recent story in the Telegraph shows, lying on one’s CV can have serious consequences: in this case, a reflective spell at Her Majesty’s pleasure. Prison and a criminal record are no joke, and cannot be hidden from future employers. The story also shows that telling the truth, even when it might cast you in a less than flattering light, is no bar to a good job if your other talents suffice. So take care when crafting a CV: get the facts straight, tell the truth.