No, lying about your college degree on your resume is not recommended as it is unethical and can result in consequences such as losing the job or damaging your reputation.
And now, more closely
Lying on your resume may seem tempting, especially if you feel you’re underqualified for a particular job, but it’s never a good idea. A lie can get you an interview, but ultimately, it’s your skills and experience, not your degree, that will determine whether or not you keep the job.
As career coach Roy Cohen said: “The problem with any lie is that it discredits everything else that follows.”
Besides being unethical, there are a number of consequences that can come with lying on your resume. It’s entirely possible that you could be fired if the truth is uncovered later on. You may also face legal action if you’re discovered to have lied on your resume.
Moreover, from a social perspective, if it is discovered that someone has lied about their degree, their credibility will be hurt, which will damage their reputation. In today’s digital world, damaging your reputation can stick with you for a very long time – years, even decades+
It’s important to keep in mind that most employers will do a background check on potential employees, often including a verification of education. With modern technology, it’s not difficult for employers to uncover lies on a resume.
Here are some interesting facts about lying on resumes:
- According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 58% of employers have spotted a lie on a resume.
- Lying on your resume can cost you more than just your job – former Yahoo! CEO Scott Thompson was forced to resign after it was discovered he falsely claimed to have a computer science degree.
- Some companies, like Gartner, actually require background checks that include a verification of education.
- There are websites and services available that can help employers uncover lies on a resume, like BackgroundChecks.org and HiringSolved.
In conclusion, lying about your college degree on your resume isn’t worth it. Not only is it unethical, it can potentially lead to serious consequences, including losing your job and damaging your reputation. It’s always best to be honest and let your skills and experience speak for themselves.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can get an interview | Lie discredits the rest of the resume |
| May land a job | Can result in being fired |
| Allows someone to compete with more qualified people | It’s unethical |
| Offers an opportunity to change careers without the necessary qualifications | Can damage one’s reputation |
Video answer to your question
Summary: The video discusses the trend of people faking their college degrees to get hired at companies, acknowledging that while it is a controversial and risky practice, it is also a way for individuals to scam a system that has scammed them for centuries. The video creator highlights that companies rarely verify degrees or check transcripts, making it easy to fake having a degree. However, the video creator also cautions against this practice and does not advise people to lie about having degrees on their resumes. The video also encourages critical thinking about the value of college education.
Other options for answering your question
Lying on your resume about your education level in order to obtain a position or advance in your career is NOT okay and chances are, it will catch up to you. I highly recommend full honesty when creating your resume.
You should not lie about what kind of degree you have on your resume. Lying on a resume is a breach of trust and is seen as a serious character flaw. It can also backfire if the employer verifies your credentials or asks you questions related to your degree. Lying on any part of your job application is unethical and can damage your reputation and career prospects.
Lying on a resume is a breach of trust and is seen as a serious character flaw, even if it is a small lie, such as claiming a degree from Harvard when you really withdrew one semester before graduating.
Let’s recap:
- Don’t lie on resumes.
- Don’t lie on cover letters.
- Don’t lie on job applications.
- Don’t lie at interviews.
Surely you will be interested
Also Know, What happens if you lie about college degree on resume?
In most cases, however, a lie on a resume that is discovered after the person is hired is grounds for termination. Depending on your profession, doing so could also cost you your professional license, which could be career-ending.
Correspondingly, Is it illegal to lie about a degree on a resume?
Response will be: Lying on a resume, cover letter, or job application isn’t technically illegal. These forms aren’t legal documents, so usually you can’t get prosecuted for lying on them. However, if you falsify documents that “back up” claims of educational history, for example, that could be grounds for trouble with the law.
Do employers really check college degrees? The reply will be: An educational background verification is a necessary component of many background checks when applying for a job. While checking and verifying an applicant’s education credentials may be an extra step in the hiring process, a complete background check helps employers identify and hire great talent.
Do employers check education on resumes?
The response is: Most employers check education on resumes in order to make sure that applicants are really who they say they are. This allows employers to verify whether or not they are ideal for the job degree-wise. In some instances, employers verify educational backgrounds on resumes for legal purposes.
Consequently, Can You Lie on a resume if you have a degree?
Response to this: A background check will almost definitely include a look into your education. Maybe at one time pretending to have a degree from a known university could get you a job offer, but nowadays falsifying educational credentials is not something you want to take a chance on. Can you lie on your resume? You can, though i’s strongly advised that you don’t.
How do employers discover the truth behind your resume lies?
Here are 10 ways employers discover the truth behind your resume lies. 1. Your alma mater can’t confirm you graduated Claiming to be a Harvard graduate when you really have a degree from a no-name state school is one of the worst things you can lie about on your resume, according to hiring managers surveyed by Hloom.
Can a former employer Sue you for lying on a resume? Answer: In many states, if you write a resume and list a fake degree, then your former employer can sue you for fraud if they can prove that your lie hurt their business. If you lied on a federal resume, then lying on your resume in this case is illegal, because lying to a federal agent is a criminal offense.
Just so, What are the most common parts of a resume to lie about? The most common parts of resumes to lie about include education, previous dates of employment and previous salary. Other common lies include: Human resources departments and recruiters frequently check for lies in resumes but rarely tell candidates if they caught them lying, as they simply do not hire a person who lied.
In this way, Can You Lie on a resume if you have a degree?
A background check will almost definitely include a look into your education. Maybe at one time pretending to have a degree from a known university could get you a job offer, but nowadays falsifying educational credentials is not something you want to take a chance on. Can you lie on your resume? You can, though i’s strongly advised that you don’t.
Accordingly, How do employers discover the truth behind your resume lies? Here are 10 ways employers discover the truth behind your resume lies. 1. Your alma mater can’t confirm you graduated Claiming to be a Harvard graduate when you really have a degree from a no-name state school is one of the worst things you can lie about on your resume, according to hiring managers surveyed by Hloom.
One may also ask, Can a former employer Sue you for lying on a resume? Answer to this: In many states, if you write a resume and list a fake degree, then your former employer can sue you for fraud if they can prove that your lie hurt their business. If you lied on a federal resume, then lying on your resume in this case is illegal, because lying to a federal agent is a criminal offense.
Simply so, Should you lie when applying for a job?
Giving in to the temptation to lie when applying for a job is risky though. You could miss out on a job offer, damage your reputation, or even get fired once your fibs are revealed. Plus, it’s easier than ever for a hiring manager to discover you’re not telling the truth about your past.