Resume Buzz & Creative Resources

It can never be stressed enough, being completely honest on your resume is non negotiable.

It is completely the best policy, and any untruths on there are likely to rear their ugly head to your employers sooner than you think (even if you do secure a job beforehand). Even the untruths can hurt your tactics in how to win an interview.

Whilst we all know someone who has exaggerated qualifications, made a job last longer than it did, or ‘big up’ responsibilities and seniority and gotten away with it, the net is closing in.

Many large companies now hire background checkers. This is good news for all those honest job seekers out there, but there is a bad side also.

These checks note every inconsistency. It might not be as bad as an outright lie, but it could just be a careless mistake with regards to dates for example. An efficient background check flags up anything it can’t verify as foolproof to the employer.

We know you’re as honest as the day is long in making your resume, but you need to make sure your it is check proof;

Here’s how,

Never guesstimate. If there is anything you are not sure about, check up. Maybe dates of employment or exact salary or benefits? Call your old employer and find out. Many people just aren’t sure, but it can look like someone is trying to cover up an employment gap, or angling for a higher salary than they are worth.

Do your own homework, and think ahead. Companies close down, merge or change names over time. It’s natural, but if it isn’t obvious, a background check could question the authenticity of a company that they can no longer check on. If one of your ex employers first this bill, make sure you add the extra info on your resume, so it is flagged up before a check makes it look like dubious information

Make the match. It sounds silly, but it’s common to describe your job as something you are officially not. What you ‘think’ you are may not be the official description on your official HR records. For the benefit of a background check, make sure they match. If it’s wildly different, try and list both titles on your resume. Make sure to also note if you were hired through a temping agency. This would create a bit of a headache, and look dodgy if not flagged up already. The company you were employed to work at through the agency might not actually have any record of you!

Don’t worry. If a background check throws up something that cannot be verified, it doesn’t mean you won’t get the job. These checks can be so thorough; a potential employer would use common sense in deciding which missing piece of the puzzle was important enough to warrant further information.