Should You Lie on Your Resume? The Truth, the Risks, and What to Do Instead

You’ve been job hunting for months. Your CV looks about as exciting as a lukewarm cup of tea. And then the thought creeps in: “What if I just… spice it up a bit?” Maybe turn that “helped with spreadsheets” into “data ninja.” Or bump that six months of bar work into “hospitality management.”

But here’s the real question: should you lie on your resume?

As someone who has worked in Change Management—and covered recruitment as part of that role—I’ve seen all sorts of CVs. From harmless exaggerations to full-blown “Are you actually Batman?” claims. And trust me, they’re hilarious… until they backfire.

The Comical Side of Lying on a Resume

When you’ve been involved in hiring, you quickly learn that people will stretch the truth like elastic. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s absurd, and sometimes it makes you wonder if you’re reading a script for The Office.

• The Language Lie – One candidate proudly wrote, “fluent in Spanish.” The only Spanish they knew? “Dos cervezas, por favor.” (Not bad for a holiday—but not great in the boardroom.)
• The Job Title Upgrade – I once saw a “Regional Director of Operations.” Turned out, he was stacking shelves at his local Tesco. Regional—if you count three aisles.
• The Education Stretch – “Oxford” was on one CV. Impressive—until it turned out to be the Oxford Tube coach route from London.

Funny? Yes. A good career move? Absolutely not.

Why People Do It (And Why It’s Tempting)

Let’s be real—job hunting sucks and can be tough. You send 50 applications, hear back from one, and that one says, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Why? Because desperation convinces people that a small white lie could be their golden ticket. And sometimes, it does get you through the door.

👻 When Companies Ghost You After an Interview – The Corporate Haunting is Real

“Thanks for coming! We’ll be in touch soon...” Ever been ghosted by a company after an interview? You’re not alone. The corporate world’s favourite trick? Disappearing into thin air.

Office BantomimeJames Mason

The Punchline: Lies Have a Funny Way of Coming Back

Here’s the truth: lies don’t stay hidden. Especially in the age of LinkedIn, reference checks, and colleagues who love to double-check stories.

One candidate I came across claimed to be an Excel wizard. First day on the job, the manager asked them to build a pivot table. Their response? “What’s a pivot table?” Spoiler: they didn’t last long.

Glassdoor notes that employers are increasingly using background checks, social media reviews, and automated systems to catch inconsistencies. When that happens, the little lie isn’t so little anymore.

https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/blog/lying-on-your-cv/

The Honest Alternative (And How to Stand Out Without Lying)

Here’s the part most job seekers underestimate: you don’t need to lie to stand out. What you need is smart framing of the truth.

• Sell Outcomes, Not Tasks – Don’t say, “I answered phones.” Say, “I handled 50+ client calls a day, solving issues with efficiency and empathy.”
• Highlight Transferable Skills – Worked in retail? You didn’t just “fold clothes”—you built customer relationships, handled stock management, and upsold products.
• Be Honest About Gaps – Career breaks happen. Write: “Focused on family responsibilities” or “Explored freelance projects while upskilling.” Confidence in your story is better than inventing one.

✨ 5 Ways To Stand Out In An interview And Not Be another clone in the waiting room.

Blending in won’t land you the job. Be the one who stands out—for the right reasons. Employers remember personality, not just polished resumes. Don’t be a clone. Be bold.

Office BantomimeJames Mason

So, Should You Lie on Your Resume?

Here’s the Change Manager’s answer:

• Short term? It might get you an interview.
• Long term? Lies unravel faster than a bad IT rollout.

The truth is, employers value honesty more than perfection. Being upfront about your skills and showing enthusiasm often beats exaggeration.

Final Word: Honesty Wins (Every Time)

Lying on your resume is like telling your date you’re six foot tall when you’re actually 5’7”. The truth comes out eventually—and then what? You’re left looking smaller than ever.

So here’s the bottom line: be honest, but frame your experience in the strongest way possible. Recruiters don’t want superheroes—they want real people who can do the job.

And if you’re still tempted to lie, ask yourself this: do you really want your first week in a new job spent secretly Googling “how to do pivot tables” in the office toilet?