looking for a job
Reader Interactions
Lying On Job Applications – Is This A Good Idea?
No, it isn’t. Lying on job applications will cost you dearly, and I will tell you why.
After you are done reading this, you will be able to look the truth in the eyes with much more courage.
Be honest and direct – this will impress the right people
This article is useful for…
- People looking for a real job
- Virtual Assistants that have trouble finding a position
Don’t only think of job applications and even job interviews as “exams” that you must “pass”. Think the other way round: if this place does not accept you, it’s probably not your dream job, anyway.
With this thought in mind: boldly say the truth.
Of course, don’t be stupid either. If you took a year off, don’t say you were goofing around and doing drugs. Say where you traveled, and how the experiences you made changed you into a better person.
“Getting experiences” is always a good thing to say.
Why should you even listen to me?
I have been looking for a job for half a year before I was successful. Even with a plan of outsourcing my job hunt, it was still essential to stay true to myself.
Every time I am asked about the “gap” in my CV, I can easily brush off the question.
How? With the honest answer!
Did you lose a year in your CV because of some love drama? Then tell them straight, that you needed to “sort out personal issues” in order to work effectively.
Whatever you did in the past, turn it around to express you learned something and that this made you better suited for this position than the “past you”.
What lying on job applications actually can cost you
Think about the scary amount of personal information that is already out there on the internet. Did you ever google your name?
Try it. I’ll be waiting.
What about the information you share on Facebook. Do you honestly think that if one looked carefully enough, they would not be able to dig up some dirt about you?
Now, what will happen if you blatantly lie about something crucial on your job application?
You will get fired. That is what will happen.
What if you have something in your past to hide?
We are all human. Even the HR employee is a human with weaknesses and flaws.
So, what to do if you have something serious to hide.
- Don’t bring it up until you are asked directly about it.
- Try to brush it off as it being something private and personal.
- Convince the HR employee that you have overcome this past burden and that it won’t interfere with your ability to work.
Turning the negative into an opportunity
It takes a certain skill of presenting yourself in the best light possible – in your application letters as well as in the actual job interview.
- Being optimistic, positive and seing the silver lining in every challenge is a skill and a virtue.
- Lying on job applications or pretending something that is not true is a bad idea.
Think hard about each flaw in your CV and past – before you get into the job interview.
Better idea: do what works!
I have shared my top tips about how to get a job. Make use of every resource you have. Then, you won’t be needing lies to find the job you dream of.
Free Job Search Websites You Need To Use
When I was looking for a job, these are the free job search websites I used.
Since this research takes time and you must follow up daily with new job opportunities as they come up, a team of assistants manually researched other job opportunities in the meantime.
BEST WAYS TO JOB-HUNT
- Attend Job Fairs and actually go talk to people. They have the power to shortcut your application process.
- Use all the connections you possibly can: your family, your friends your social networks.
- Always call before applying for a job. Ask if the position is still open, and if your profile is of interest for this position. When you then apply, refer to the person you had a phone call with.
Monster – The International Job Searching Place
One of the best free job search websites is called Monster. It works for every country and is a great starting point in your job search efforts.
The goodies:
- You can upload your CV and will get contacted by people who are specifically interested in your profile. (In my case, I got contacted because someone was interested in my basic Japanese skills – pretty awesome!)
- You can set up different email alerts for different sorts of jobs. (In my case, I was interested in general chemistry jobs as well as work in the area of biochemistry and pharmacy.)
- You can set up how often you want to get email. Personally, I chose weekly, because it was hard keeping up with daily email alerts.
- Your data is safe.
StepStone – another useful Job Search Engine
StepStone is another free job search website I really like to use. In fact, for this website I like to get daily updates.
Just as with Monster, you can get Job updates for different search profiles and follow up on the job openings in a timely manner. When I apply to a position, I always specify where I got the information of the job opening from.
At the end of the subject line of your application, write something like
“– Your Job Offer on StepStone “
The Limitation:
Unfortunately, it’s more useful for you if you are based in the EU.
Using Social Networks as free Job Search Websites
Posting “Hey guys, please help me get a job” on Facebook might be a good start. Leverage your friends, by all means.
But there are more powerful social networking sites that are made for professional use out there. Let me share two networks with you that I actually use personally.
Using LinkedIn as a Job Search Website
LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Just like Facebook, but without funny photos and much more… serious. It works internationally.
You can find job openings on this site too, and get email notifications just like for the full-fledged job search sites above. Oh, and don’t forget to submit your CV here, too.
The Pros and Cons:
- Another place to find job openings from, as well as a place to network with collegues from work and the official web presences of potential employers.
- A great place to have professional conversations on. Especially if you are looking to become a freelancer yourself.
- The contra? It’s another social network, so it is bound to take up some of your time.
Using Xing – Especially in Germany
If you are from Germany, then Xing is actually even more well-known than LinkedIn.
(When in Germany, you should do like the Germans.)
Same deal: you can submit ýour CV, browse through the profiles of your employers and connect with people.
Tip:
Using your personal profile link to either LinkedIn or Xing is a great piece of information to put on your business cards.
(You have some, right…?)
Leave a Reply