It can be difficult when you are on the hunt for a job. You may apply 100 times before you ever get a call back for an interview. While it’s not uncommon for candidates to exaggerate or even flat out lie on their resume, it’s not the wisest choice.

The phrase “fake it til you make it” should never be applied to your resume. Exaggerating your skill set or experience may get you the interview and even the job, but once you’re found out it can ultimately end your career before it even gets started. Below are ways to land the job without inflating your resume.

Get A Second Opinion

If you don’t feel like your resume is getting noticed by hiring managers then maybe it just needs a quick review. Hiring managers read resumes like a story. Often they are looking for certain key words to indicate your qualifications and overall who you are as an employee. If you aren’t getting noticed, maybe your resume is not telling the right story.

Having a skilled professional review your resume may help move you up on the list of potential candidates being considered. Our professionals at Swift Staffing Solutions will review every resume and help to prepare each candidate in the best way possible before they are sent to any interviews.

Build Your Case In The Cover Letter

Even if you do not have all the skills or experience required for the position, you may still be qualified for the job. Instead of inflating your resume with falsified experience records or skills, take that time to build your case as to why you would be a great fit for the position. For example, the position may require 2 years experience and you just got out of school… build your case by letting them know what skills you acquired in any internships, school projects or previous positions. Building your case initially in your cover letter will give the hiring manager a good idea of what you can do first, instead of focusing on what is missing.

Many candidates will exaggerate or inflate their resumes in order to get the job, but that won’t last long if they do not have the skill set that is required. It will be VERY obvious to those that know how to do the job and you will inevitably be found out. The focus should be more on the long-term career rather than short-term job. You can always build your skill set, but you can never take back a lie once it has been told. This will directly reflect on your character and could possibly tarnish your professional reputation moving forward. Instead of “fake it til you make it” try showing your best self by revamping your resume and building your case in your cover letter.