News & Events

Jobseekers urged to avoid CV untruths

Date posted:

20th June 2008

Jobseekers should be honest on applications as many recruiters frown upon lying, according to one expert.

Individuals seeking a new job should avoid putting "white lies" on their applications, an industry spokesperson has suggested.

According to Anne Fairweather, head of public policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, many recruiters will take a dim view of untruths on a CV.

She noted that a good recruiter would be able to spot the telltale signs of someone lying on their CV and said that the reason people should be honest is to ensure the most suitable applicant is awarded the job.

Ms Fairweather said: "We don't think it's very positive and people shouldn't be encouraged to put white lies on their CV.

"I think most people would recognise that they need to enter an application process honestly."

A survey published by the Risk Advisory Group that took place in 2007 found more than 50 per cent of CVs submitted for job applications contained some form of erroneous data.

Individuals aged between 36 and 40 were found to be the worst offenders, with 62.9 per cent of those CVs containing some form of untruth.

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