Lying on your resume - The reality | #grindreel

Summary

This video explores the ethical dilemma of lying on a resume when job hunting. It discusses the negative perception of job gaps and suggests strategies to address them, such as listing a previous job as current or explaining gaps with compelling reasons. The speaker shares personal experiences with job gaps due to unforeseen circumstances like layoffs or family illness, and how honesty often led to rejection. They also touch on the irony of job seekers being expected to be transparent while companies can be misleading in job descriptions. The video concludes by questioning why job seekers should be fully transparent when companies are not, and encourages viewers to consider the 'game' of job hunting.

Takeaways

• 😌 The speaker is not advocating for lying on a resume but discussing the complexities and gray areas surrounding resume honesty.
• 🕳 Job gaps can significantly impact job prospects, often perceived negatively by employers, implying laziness or being out of touch.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that job gaps might be unavoidable due to circumstances like sudden layoffs, health issues, or family responsibilities.
• 🗣️ Some HR professionals may not consider valid reasons for job gaps, such as being let go without warning or needing time for recovery from medical procedures.
• 😣 The speaker shares personal experiences where honesty about job gaps led to negative assumptions and dismissal by potential employers.
• 🔄 The speaker recommends listing the last job as current on the resume to avoid the stigma of job gaps, despite the potential for dishonesty.
• 🏆 Job titles on resumes should reflect actual job responsibilities, not just the official title given by the company, to better represent one's capabilities.
• 🤝 Companies can be misleading in job descriptions, offering benefits they don't intend to honor, like work-from-home policies or unlimited vacation.
• 💼 The speaker suggests that job seekers are not required to be 100% transparent with companies, which often aren't transparent in their job postings.
• 💭 The script concludes by highlighting the 'game' of job seeking, where being completely honest might not always be the best strategy for securing employment.

Q & A

What is the main concern about job gaps according to the speaker?

The main concern about job gaps is that they can destroy one's chances of getting a job, as employers may perceive them as a sign of laziness or incompetence, suggesting that there is something wrong with the candidate.

Why might a job gap be unavoidable despite one's best efforts?

A job gap might be unavoidable due to circumstances such as being let go without warning, especially around the holidays when hiring slows down, major medical procedures requiring recovery time, or needing to care for a sick family member.

What are some reasons the speaker suggests for why job gaps are often viewed negatively by employers?

Job gaps are viewed negatively because they imply that the candidate has been out of touch with the industry, is 'washed up,' and that there might be something wrong with the candidate that makes them unhireable.

What advice does the speaker give regarding how to handle a job gap on a resume?

The speaker suggests either listing the last job as current even if not, or being prepared to give a compelling explanation for the gap, acknowledging that honesty often leads to negative interpretations by employers.

Why does the speaker believe that companies can be dishonest in job descriptions?

The speaker believes companies can be dishonest because they may promise benefits or conditions like work-from-home options or unlimited vacation that they later change or fail to deliver, using these promises to attract candidates.

What is the speaker's approach to job titles on a resume?

The speaker changes job titles on their resume to reflect the actual responsibilities they had, rather than the official title given by the company, to better represent their capabilities and increase chances of getting an interview.

How does the speaker feel about the necessity of being completely transparent with employers?

The speaker feels that while it's important to be honest, the necessity of being completely transparent with employers is questionable, especially when companies are not always transparent with job seekers.

What is the speaker's perspective on lying on a resume to get a conversation started?

The speaker views lying on a resume as a strategic move to get a conversation started, suggesting that the goal is to secure a job interview where one can then demonstrate their abilities and explain any discrepancies.

Why does the speaker believe that job hunting is often a game that requires strategy?

The speaker believes job hunting is a game because it involves presenting oneself in the best light to secure opportunities, and being too transparent can lead to being overlooked, just as companies use attractive but possibly misleading job descriptions.

What is the speaker's ultimate message about the ethics of job application and resume writing?

The speaker's message is that while honesty is generally valued, the realities of job hunting often require a more nuanced approach, suggesting that playing the 'game' of job application may sometimes necessitate bending the truth to get a fair chance.