Is it Illegal to Lie on a Resume?

By Reid - January 4, 2022

Should I Lie On My Resume

When you’re applying for a job, an apartment, or even a drivers license, it can sometimes be tempting to fib a little bit.

After all, there’s usually a lot at stake, and hiding a past mess-up or exaggerating a qualification might be the edge you need to get hired or approved.

This has some moral implications, but is it illegal to lie on a resume? Is there a real, tangible punishment you might have to suffer thanks to that little fib or exaggeration?

The answer to that is more complicated than you think. From a purely technical standpoint, no, it’s not illegal. However, there are some cases where you might want to reconsider. Let’s go over them.

Is it Illegal to Lie on a Resume for a Job?

Lying on a job resume is not illegal as it is not considered a criminal offense to provide false information on a job application or resume. But some employers may feel that making false statements on this document is a form of fraud.

That does not mean you should start filling out every application with grand stories of imaginary accomplishments and other nonsense, though.

If an employee lies on their resume and is subsequently hired based on that lie, they could be fired for misconduct if the lie is discovered. Depending on the nature and severity of the lie, there could also be potential legal consequences, such as if the lie involves fraud or deception.

For example, if an employee lies about having a professional license or qualification required for the job, they could be charged with fraud or misrepresentation.

In general, it's important, to be honest and accurate on your resume and job application. Lying can damage your reputation and credibility and negatively affect your career.

"Only one-third of recruiters think job candidates are honest about their skills, and 85% believe candidates exaggerate their skills on their resume."

— HR Drive

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are There Any Acceptable Lies?

In our experience, there are no acceptable lies to put on your resume. Leave it off if you know you are stretching the truth, whether on a resume, cover letter, application, or interview!

Will you get caught?

During the interview process and job acceptance phase, you could get exposed for your lie in several ways. Here are a few of them:

They uncover your lie during the background check
You let things slip to your new boss or coworkers
Your resume, application, and interview don't match up
Your references speak the truth
The skills you lied about are exposed during your first weeks on the job

Is lying on a resume grounds for termination?

Yes, an employer can terminate an employee for lying on a job application, especially if the lie is discovered after the person has been hired.

Lying on a resume is considered a form of misconduct and can damage the trust and credibility of the employee and the company. Depending on the nature and severity of the lie, it could also potentially lead to legal consequences.

It's important to be truthful and accurate on your resume and job application. If you're unsure about something or have made a mistake, it's better to be upfront and explain the situation rather than trying to cover it up. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to your career.

What is the most common resume lie?

The most common résumé lies include past work experience, job titles, GPA, and qualifications. This can be tempting for job seekers who want to make themselves look more qualified for a position, but it's important, to be honest about your experiences and responsibilities.

Related:

Wrapping up | Should You Lie on a Resume?

Do not lie on a resume! It's that simple.

Lying on a resume is ethically wrong, and even if you don’t care about the ethical problems, it can quickly send you on a downward spiral to the unemployment line with a poor job record.

Honesty is the best policy when applying for a job, so start that new relationship off right by building trust with that potential employer.

We hope this helped, and best of luck in the job search!

Title: Is it illegal to lie on a job resume?

Category: Resume

Tags: lying on a resume, is it illegal to lie on a resume, resume lies, should I lie on my resume, job application, job seekers, should i lie on my resume, is it ok to lie on your resume

Co-Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile