How Lying Hurts Your Chances of Landing an IT Job

Cybersecurity jobs are in demand, with industry insiders expecting a shortage of qualified workers over the next decade. Yet even with hot job prospects, hiring managers have noticed a troubling trend: candidates who lie on their resume.

TalentEgg reported 44% of managers knowing someone who lied or exaggerated on their resume, while 85% of Inc.com’s respondents rejected job applicants for lying.

The statistics show that lying on resumes is common, and hiring managers are good at spotting it.

Here, you’ll discover why lying on your resume hurts your career prospects more than it helps them. We also share practical ways you can use your actual experience to land a great cybersecurity job.

What Is a Resume Lie?

Most of us agree that little white lies are acceptable. There’s little harm in fudging the truth about your friend’s bad haircut. The resume, however, is no place for fibs. Here, the truth matters. Be careful not to inflate anything, including:

  • Educational credentials
  • Technical skills
  • Previous job titles
  • Dates of employment
  • Language fluency

Accuracy in your claims is crucial to both the employer and your ability to excel in a role.

Lying Hurts Your Chances of Finding A Cybersecurity Job

Contrary to what many people think, lying hurts – and often eliminates – your chances of finding the right job. Here’s how fibs and falsehoods damage your career prospects.

You Won’t Land the Job

You put yourself across as the perfect applicant, and still didn’t land the job. That’s because the hiring manager probably detected your false claims and inconsistencies.

HR staff are experts in verifying information. It’s routine for them to subscribe to services that provide background checks. These services provide details about everything from job history to prior salaries to criminal records.

Hiring managers also go beyond the references you provide. LinkedIn makes it easy for them to connect with your former supervisors or colleagues to verify your experience. Inconsistencies will raise red flags about your application.

Large amounts of your personal information are online. You can fabricate your resume, but you can’t re-write your history.

You’ll Land the Job, But You Won’t Be Qualified

Employers know their organization and what they need in a particular role. The qualifications they include in a job posting are included for a reason: they’re needed for the job. Don’t get caught up in thinking that your resume and interview are the end game. They are only the beginning.

If you manage to squeak through the hiring process, you won’t be able to continue the charade for long. Gaps in your experience and skills will be evident. At best, your performance will be mediocre. At worst, you’ll be fired for incompetence. Both are damaging to your career.

You’ll Damage Your Reputation

Cybersecurity jobs require good judgment. Lying on your resume casts serious doubts on yours. Your damaged reputation will follow you throughout a weakened career in the industry – if you have one.

The cybersecurity industry is a close-knit community the revolves around trust. Even if you performed well at a previous job, your former supervisor might be hesitant to give you a reference. No one wants to be associated with a high-risk candidate who demonstrates bad judgment or questionable ethics.

Being Truthful Helps You Find a Job That’s a Good Fit

It sounds like a cliché, but honesty is always the best policy. Being truthful on your resume is the first step to landing a job that’s a good fit for you and your skills.

If you have an employment gap on your resume, highlight what you did during that time (travel, raise a family, volunteer, etc.). Potential employers can see value in your experiences beyond the workplace. If your technical skills temporarily took a backseat, take the time to strengthen and update them rather than disguise them with untruths.

You should also consider working with a recruiter. We are committed to getting to know the real you, so that they can match your skills and quality character with rewarding cybersecurity jobs. Register with ACG Resources today to get started.