Do employers check up on your CV

rz30 · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:43

Could you slyly change a 2:1 degree to a 1:1 degree, or could you add that you have 1 years experience in your job ( say you had a mate who has a small IT software company) could you just add you have a years experience with them ..etc ... and get them to back it?

I wouldn't do this, but writing up my CV just now some people must have tried it.

Mikoyan · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:45

surely you are going to try this

edit: I personnally wouldnt lie as they can check up, I have known some people to lie on thier CV.

Didnt that dude from apprentice lie on his cv and then go on to become the apprentice lol

Axis64 · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:48

A guy i used to work with had his CV checked and then next day was escorted off out of the building by security lol

antijoke · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:49

I take it you didn't see the apprentice?

That guy ended up winning, so go for it.

* not serious advice

scorza · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:49

Yes they do check the factual accuracy of your CV - you could well be expected to produce a certificate verifying your degree grade for example. You'd probably get away with the second one though if your mate was prepared to back you up.

peterattheboro · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:51

It's fraud and punishable. I've not heard of any scenarios though.

Personally I wouldn't risk it. I'd work hard for whatever I have on my CV and not lie.

(Yes I don't have anything good on my CV really

)

WillyNelson · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:56

If they find out, there's nothing to stop them firing you on the spot.

Why lie, just be better at selling who you really are.

int · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:57

I've added in things that to me, sound rubbish but to a potential employer sound impressive.

i.e. I got a "Commendation for Pharmacology" from my university. It just means I got a 2.1

Ethics · 20 Nov 2008 at 14:59

To lie on a CV generally implies that you have something you don't such as understanding, skill set, mentality.

If the employer wants these i'd assume they are important for the role.

I'm no saint, i've considered it but the pitfalls far outweigh the benefits (i.e they find out the truth...)

GingerNinja1989 · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:05

Don't risk it... it's your job after all.

z0mbi3 · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:09

You'd get away with the work experience one, so long as your mate is willing to back you up. You shouldn't lie about actually qualifications and grades though.

Every one wants to make themselves look good on their CV, but outright lies are just asking for trouble.

rz30 · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:09

z0mbi3 said:
You'd get away with the work experience one, so long as your mate is willing to back you up. You shouldn't lie about actually qualifications and grades though.

Every one wants to make themselves look good on their CV, but outright lies are just asking for trouble.

'White lies' ?

bigredshark · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:09

Most people embellish their CV a little according to surveys. Degree I wouldn't, too easy to get proven wrong and looks bad. Adding a years experience is nothing serious though.

Bear in mind that we check a lot of CVs with a specialist agency who run down all the references (previous employers, education, qualifications etc) and quite a few companies do the same these days. Particularly in some areas like IT, because people routinely lie about their qualifications, particularly Cisco and Microsoft.

Dinomania · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:14

I heard of someone who noted down their 3rd-class degree as "II I" with the accidentally typed space in there, making it look like it might be a way to write 2:1. Nice.

Whatever stops your CV getting chucked in the bin and closer to an interview...! Just don't lie outright, it'll only come back and bite you in the bum.

Cosimo · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:26

Don’t do it, I have had CV’s checked as part of our recruitment process. The little/big white lies can bring you down.

Acathla · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:29

Some companies do check very thoroughly!
I just moved job, and actually had problems because a company I worked for would not confirm my start date because, and I quote "That will be in the archive box and I am not looking in there".
Was alright in the end as they did confirm that I worked there around that time, and confirmed my end date.
Also had to pass in all of my certificates from GCSE level, which was interesting as I had to find them first.
But yeah, don't put anything down you can't prove! Even if it seems unimportant to the job if they catch you lying you're stuffed!

milkinc13 · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:33

no point in trying, as get caught lose job. so not worth it

Admiral Huddy · 20 Nov 2008 at 15:36

rz30 said:
Could you slyly change a 2:1 degree to a 1:1 degree, or could you add that you have 1 years experience in your job ( say you had a mate who has a small IT software company) could you just add you have a years experience with them ..etc ... and get them to back it?

I wouldn't do this, but writing up my CV just now some people must have tried it.

Yes they do.. Your 10am interview with us is cancelled!!!

Mr^B · 20 Nov 2008 at 16:21

sara said:
I heard of someone who noted down their 3rd-class degree as "II I" with the accidentally typed space in there, making it look like it might be a way to write 2:1. Nice.

Whatever stops your CV getting chucked in the bin and closer to an interview...! Just don't lie outright, it'll only come back and bite you in the bum.

I saw something similar, and binned the CV because they didn't know the correct way to write down their degree classification.

Any sign of that sample vb/.net code for comments?

Sukh · 20 Nov 2008 at 16:24

The Big Four have external agencies that check graduates/experienced hires for lies and 2% get caught and job offer removed/ fired.