A CV is the main document that allows you to apply for a job. Along with your covering letter, it is the basis for your application to the company in question. The CV should contain information primarily about your school, course and training qualifications and data including professional experience. Sometimes, some people lie on their CVs to increase their chances of being hired. However, it is important to know what the consequences of such behavior are.

What are the consequences?

Some job candidates think that colouring in, i.e. simply lying on a CV, is nothing. They assume that everyone does it - defining their interests differently to match the company profile or indicating a better knowledge of the given foreign language than they really are.

Unfortunately, like any other lie on a CV is short-lived and recruiters are quick enough to review everything that has been included in a candidate's paperwork. If they discover false information, they most often quickly abort the hiring process and say goodbye to the dishonest potential employee.

However, there are times when an employer does not notice the fraud and hires someone who has lied on a CV. What then is the threat to the person? If he has been hired for a probationary period, the employer has time to check the skills indicated by the candidate on the CV. If it turns out to be untrue, the trial contract is simply closed on the date stated in it and the employee does not get a permanent job offer.

It can also happen that the employer immediately hires the candidate on an open-ended contract. If he discovers that the employee has been dishonest and has written lies on his CV which substantially affect the quality of his work, he has the right to fire that person immediately.

Is it a crime to lie on one's CV?

Employees who lie on their CVs are likely to suffer the consequences - regardless of whether they are educated or experienced - if their lies harm the entrepreneur. In this case, the employee may be held financially liable.

Lying on your CV may involve attaching a false document such as a certificate or diploma from a university. In such a situation, an employer who discovers that a candidate has lied on his CV must file a criminal complaint.

If an employee lies on his or her CV about his or her education or courses taken, but does not enclose forged documents with the application, he or she commits a misdemeanour offence. It says that anyone who misappropriates a position, title or rank, or publicly uses or wears an order, badge, gown or uniform to which they are not entitled, will be fined or reprimanded. So if you have lied on your CV, expect serious consequences.

What is the most common lie on a CV?

Contrary to appearances, it does happen, and it is not uncommon, for someone to lie on their CV, although the extent of the lies varies. More often than not, employees lie about their level of foreign language skills. If they know a few basic vocabulary words in German, for example, they write ""basic language skills"". This is not quite true, and the recruiter will quickly check their language skills.

Unscrupulous and at the same time dishonest candidates also list many different skills that they supposedly possess that will be useful in the job. This can be quickly checked during the probationary period and the lie will still come out.

Lesser lies relate to candidates' passions and interests. These are more difficult to check, but if you write that you are into scuba diving and the employer turns out to be an avid diver, a few questions from him will quickly expose your lies on your resume.

A common lie is to supplement responsibilities from previous jobs. An effective interview conducted by a recruiter will expose the false information.

How can you increase your chances of being hired without lying on your CV?

Lying on your CV does not pay; it puts you under stress and ruins your reputation as an employee. In the worst cases, it leads to financial and criminal liability. It is therefore best not to lie on your CV at all.

If, for example, you have worked in the ""black economy"" and cannot prove it, state the position you held and the time you worked in your CV without giving your business identity. All you need to do is answer a few questions to make sure the recruiter knows that you have actually worked in that position.

A good cover letter can also help you get the job of your dreams. Maybe you don't have strictly professional experience yet, but have you taken part in student initiatives, for example? Have you been a volunteer or active in student organisations? All of these things can increase your chances of getting a job.

You can increase your chances of getting a legal job. Resume writing services USA can help you do it! Order your resume and save yourself the headache.