More Than 55% of People Aren’t Honest on Their Resumes — Here Are the 8 Most Popular Lies

Many applicants are determined to make their first impression count — even if it’s fake.

By Amanda Breen edited by Jessica Thomas Dec 21, 2022
Orbon Alija | Getty Images

Many people want an edge during the job-search process, and some applicants give themselves one on their resume — whether it’s true or not.

According to a recent survey from StandOutCV, which surveyed 1,785 Americans 18 or older who were employed between October 12-26, more than 55% of Americans have lied on their resumes at least once, CNBC reported.

Related: This ‘Triangle Method’ Will Help You Catch and Confront a Liar

What’s more, the number of Google searches about how to fake a resume is up 48%, with those tied to faking a job reference up 52%, per the report.

Additionally, StandOutCV found that men are more likely to lie (59.9%) than women (50.6%).

Despite some claims that traditional resumes are becoming obsolete in today’s LinkedIn-driven world, clearly applicants are determined to make them count, even if that means folding in one of these eight most common falsehoods:

1. Previous work experience: 55.4%

2. Skills: 43.1%

3. College degree (or equivalent): 41%

4. Personal details, such as age, location or name: 39.5%

5. High school details: 39.2%

6. Salary information: 33.6%

7. Job-specific software and/or equipment skills: 33.5%

8. Employer references:

21%

Many people want an edge during the job-search process, and some applicants give themselves one on their resume — whether it’s true or not.

According to a recent survey from StandOutCV, which surveyed 1,785 Americans 18 or older who were employed between October 12-26, more than 55% of Americans have lied on their resumes at least once, CNBC reported.

Related: This ‘Triangle Method’ Will Help You Catch and Confront a Liar

What’s more, the number of Google searches about how to fake a resume is up 48%, with those tied to faking a job reference up 52%, per the report.

Additionally, StandOutCV found that men are more likely to lie (59.9%) than women (50.6%).

Despite some claims that traditional resumes are becoming obsolete in today’s LinkedIn-driven world, clearly applicants are determined to make them count, even if that means folding in one of these eight most common falsehoods:

1. Previous work experience: 55.4%

2. Skills: 43.1%

3. College degree (or equivalent): 41%

4. Personal details, such as age, location or name: 39.5%

5. High school details: 39.2%

6. Salary information: 33.6%

7. Job-specific software and/or equipment skills: 33.5%

8. Employer references:

21%

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Amanda Breen

Senior Features Writer at Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur Staff
Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

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