Job Vacancies And Jobs Search In Malaysia : Allyhunt

Believe it or not, job seekers tend to lie – in their CVs or during interviews. Most often than not, it happens to job seekers that are desperately in need of a job. The common justification is that a great impression is the key to securing a job. But, is it okay to lie? And is it worth it? Some of us don’t really care about lying but to some, the consequences of lying can haunt us for many years to come.

I have a confession to make. Yes, I lied to get a job. It was a lie that I did not concocted myself but by my ex-Manager. This happened many years ago when I just started out in which a RM200 increase in my pay check makes a huge difference. I had unwittingly allowed myself into the plot. My ex-Manager wanted me to join her new company but she strongly felt I deserved a higher pay but it was not easy for her to substantiate a RM400 increase from my old salary to her boss, thus the lie about my salary was supposedly a “favor” to help me. Her superior though trusted her judgment had a brief meeting with me. The moment when the question popped up about my current salary, I remembered I wanted to hide my face in a hole. I was quite sure I was blushing and hoping for the best that she won’t further probed for my payslip for I was ready to dash out from the room then. For RM200, I sold my integrity that day. I regretted that I ever lied. Whether I got found out or not is beside the point. It was a lie and the reality sucks because I have to live with that for the rest of my life. Shame on me!

What are the common areas that job seekers’ lie?

• Educational background or professional affiliations.

• Omitting short employment information to avoid being seen as a job-hopper and stretching dates of other employment history to cover gaps.

• Faking job titles.

• Exaggerated achievements (e.g., received “Best Customer Service Award” for the team but was noted company instead).

• Taking credit for a project or assignment that you didn’t do.

• Creating new employers.

• Salary package.

Why you shouldn’t lie?

• If got caught, you are dismissed immediately.

• Your reputation is ruined and the entire industry get to know it as word gets around easily.

• Unless you have excellent memories, you must always remember what lies you had made. You may need to invent another lie to support the first one. It can be a stressful ordeal after all. Being honest is far less complicated.

• You may end up doing work that you are not qualified if you have lied about your educational background or work that you have not done before.

Lying does not only cost you your job and lands you in deadly consequences, it also reflects the depth of your character and confidence. A secured and confident job seeker does not have to resort to lying because he/she understands what his/her skills/capabilities are worth in the industry. It takes a brave man to lie but a bolder man to state the truth.

Every job seeker wants to make a convincing impression but it is a fine line between marketing yourself and lying, and you must know the difference.