It is always tempting to bend the truth on a resume and in an interview. Ultimately you have to ask yourself – what is the benefit? When it comes down to your resume and your interview, what do you gain when you are honest?
1. You have a greater chance of getting a job that suits you. It is a great feeling to work in a job that lines up with your strengths, abilities – one that let’s you shine and build a career!
2. If there are some key skills that you lack but are passionate about learning – express that will to learn to the employer (or better yet, show them that you are taking the steps to learn). A drive to learn and improve is a wonderful trait to highlight in a job search, and could help you get the training you need to succeed.
3. You get the chance to look like a star. If there is a cover-up out there to throw recruiters off the path from a bad end to a job, a weakness in your skills, or any other anomaly in your career – the recruiter you are communicating with has heard it, seen it and has learned to dismiss candidates that use these techniques. Quickly. We have all made mistakes and learned tough lessons. Take every opportunity to show what you have learned from your mistakes, how you overcame your obstacles and how these “anomalies” have helped you become the great employee you are today. Anyone can make a mistake. It takes a true super-star to face it and improve.
4. Honest, straightforward communication helps employers see what you can do - efficiently. Recruiters often have great demands on their time and need to figure out if you fit in as quickly as possible. You can help them if you keep your resume and interviews free of “fluff” and stick to what you know, what you can do and what you have learned.
Good luck building your career – please let us know what has worked for you!
