HR Files allows hiring managers a to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month’s question is: What is the best course of action when someone misrepresents themselves on their resume?
QUESTION: I recently hired an employee and then later found out that she misrepresented herself on her resume. She left off a few short-term jobs and then changed the dates on her listed positions to fill the time gap. She also listed a few certifications that she does not actually have yet. When I asked her about it, she said that her experience is still accurate, she just decided not to mention the smaller jobs because they weren’t relevant to the position. She also said she was working towards getting the certifications. She has the needed experience, but has not taken the test yet.
Taking jobs off of your resume is fine, but changing the dates and adding credentials you don’t actually have is still a misrepresentation of her resume. I am struggling about what to do. Should I fire her for dishonesty or is this something that is now acceptable in resume building?
ANSWER: It is not an acceptable practice in resume building to add inaccurate information in order to make you look more qualified. This is called falsification of application and resume. It can be an offense that is grounds for immediate termination. You have to take into consideration how this employee is representing your company, department and your name. If she will be dishonest about that, what else will she be dishonest about during her employment? These are things to consider before you move forward with a decision on how to address the situation. If this employee does not have a position that is publicly representing you and you choose to keep them, then at very least a serious conversation should be had about honesty and transparency moving forward.
If you have a question you want answered, please contact us HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.
HR Files allows hiring managers a to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month’s question is: What is the best course of action when someone misrepresents themselves on their resume?
QUESTION: I recently hired an employee and then later found out that she misrepresented herself on her resume. She left off a few short-term jobs and then changed the dates on her listed positions to fill the time gap. She also listed a few certifications that she does not actually have yet. When I asked her about it, she said that her experience is still accurate, she just decided not to mention the smaller jobs because they weren’t relevant to the position. She also said she was working towards getting the certifications. She has the needed experience, but has not taken the test yet.
Taking jobs off of your resume is fine, but changing the dates and adding credentials you don’t actually have is still a misrepresentation of her resume. I am struggling about what to do. Should I fire her for dishonesty or is this something that is now acceptable in resume building?
ANSWER: It is not an acceptable practice in resume building to add inaccurate information in order to make you look more qualified. This is called falsification of application and resume. It can be an offense that is grounds for immediate termination. You have to take into consideration how this employee is representing your company, department and your name. If she will be dishonest about that, what else will she be dishonest about during her employment? These are things to consider before you move forward with a decision on how to address the situation. If this employee does not have a position that is publicly representing you and you choose to keep them, then at very least a serious conversation should be had about honesty and transparency moving forward.
If you have a question you want answered, please contact us HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.