Master of Mistruths
Between initial meetings/ calls with candidate prospects all the way to the job offer stages, we can speak 10 times, or often more.
Any good headhunter takes notes…because there should be too much detail to remember, and we’re trying to help you and the client company to the best of our abilities.
In today's competitive job market, it can be tempting to stretch the truth on your CV or on a call. Maybe you exaggerated your KPI performance, your earnings, your responsibilities or your contributions towards team/ company achievements…
Recruiters are smarter than you think (believe it or not). ‘Most’ of us perform thorough background checks and when we catch a candidate prospect lying, we always make a note.
I’ll give a candidate a chance to rectify an inaccuracy/ omission, as it could simply be down to human error or misunderstanding. But if we recognise a pattern of ‘mistruths’...it’s a major red flag that can’t be ignored.
In today’s connected world, platforms like LinkedIn make it easier to spot discrepancies between your CV and your online profile. Any mismatch or exaggeration could harm your credibility. If the dates don’t match up or we see missing job roles, this is going to hurt your credibility and chances.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking a few adjustments to make your CV look ‘less messy’ or ‘stable’ will do no harm.
Getting caught in a lie, even early in your career, can ruin your reputation. Lies can resurface years later, causing long-term damage. You risk being blacklisted by companies, and word of dishonesty spreads quickly in industries.
Even if you manage to secure the job by lying, you’ll constantly be on edge, worried about being exposed. Your confidence will suffer as you try to meet expectations based on false claims. This can lead to poor performance reviews or termination, making future employment harder.
Lying on your CV just isn’t necessary. Employers seek candidates who align with their company values, not just those with perfect CVs.
Honesty demonstrates integrity, and many hiring managers are open to candidates with gaps, provided they are transparent, motivated, and willing to learn. Focus on your transferable skills and growth potential instead.
Lying may seem like a quick way to land your dream job, but it’s a fast track to career disaster. Whether it’s losing a job offer, damaging your reputation (or ours), or facing legal consequences, the risks outweigh any reward.
A good headhunter will sell you to the best of their abilities, but will drop you like a hot rock at the first sign of dishonesty.
Instead, give us the ‘warts n all’ version of your career and situation, and we can use our bank of experience to fully support your application, and help prepare you to handle any and every objection you may face!
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