Ask HN: Lying on Your Resume

3 points·2bor-2n··7 comments

Is it a good idea to lie about some skills or projects in your resume? Anyone who lied during their interview about their skills/expertise/projects and got away with it?

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How about some "puffery"; perhaps spotlighting your contributions a little too bright? "Fixed a couple of hundred defects before delivery" changes to "architected and main technical lead" for a project. If you just say "it was a team effort, I contributed to the best of my ability and we were very successful" no one will even give you an interview.

No.

I'd go further than that and say it's never a good idea to lie about anything in any situation.

I agree. Also, from a practical point of view, if someone lies on their resume, they're likely to get caught. For example, their manager will ask them to do something that they claimed knowledge of on their resume, and it will be obvious that they don't know how. Lying to get a job is generally grounds for immediate termination.

C'mon.You are not telling the truth. There are times when it is beneficial to lie. (Though, perhaps not in OPs situation)

When is it beneficial to lie?

I've never lied on my résumé, and I don't think this is something advisable. However, it may be wise to embellish reality.

Straight lying is tough sometimes

Reality often dictates that you must lie

Think of a politician that does not lie

They know we hate truth tellers

Ditto hiring managers

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