(NECN) - Have you ever told a "white lie"? How about "enhancements" on the resume? Many people are finding that lying or exaggerating the resume can lead to big trouble - and even cost a job in the process.
Nancy Mobley, Founder and CEO of Insight Performance joined "The Morning Show" to discuss the issue.
The recent drug lab incident involving a chemist who lied about her resume is one extreme example of why it is important to be honest and straightforward when looking for employment.
Mobley shared the following:
-- The importance of being truthful on your resume
Trust in the workplace is critical. People spend large amounts of their time at their place of employment, and trust/honesty is tantamount to the success of a business.
In Massachusetts, lying on a resume is not a criminal offense. However, it is considered grounds for immediate termination and, unfortunately, is fairly common.
According to SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), 60 percent of all HR professionals reported finding inaccuracies on resumes that come across their desks.
Certainly we can expect a bit more awareness to being truthful on resumes in light of the recent crime lab scandal. Regardless of the incident, you have to assume that an employer will look into everything on a potential employee's resume.
-- Why even small "white lies" (such as knowledge of a language) are a big deal and could cost you your job.
Eleven states, including the state of Maine, have laws that make misrepresentation of employment a crime. This is not the case in Massachusetts, but it is obviously not going to get you off on the right foot with a potential or new employer.
For any concerns on a resume, such as gaps in employment, it is best to tell the truth and put a positive spin on your resume. Going back to school, being laid off, change in career direction, taking time off to care for a loved one or raise a family are all legitimate reasons to have gaps in your resume.
Realize that even small lies, such as exaggerating knowledge of a language, could cost you your job. Imagine if you apply for a job with knowledge of a language, and they end up asking you to communicate with a foreign-speaking client. You will then have to reveal your lie.
-- The importance of background checks by employers to ensure their potential employees are being honest:
Since 9/11 there has been a significant rise in employers that conduct background checks.
Many jobs require a criminal background check (such as CORI or drug testing), but what they miss is gaps in your identity (SSN, I-9, eligibility to work), education and job experience, driving history, lawsuits, criminal records, credit reports.
Background checks cost between $50 - $100 depending on the number of items you request as part of the search (identity, education, job history, criminal record, credit data). It's a small price to pay.
It is critical to be consistent in background screening - it must either be done for all or by a particular kind of employee (drivers, money handlers, etc.)
Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace for their employees; it shows best practice in terms of hiring.
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