Filling Out Job Applications – Don’t Lie, We Will Verify

Being truthful on job applications is not only an ethical necessity, but a way to ensure legal good-standing and future career security. This is especially true as companies like The Orsus Group specialize in thorough verification processes to detect inaccurate or fraudulent information on job applications. Lying on an application can lead to a number of adverse outcomes, including loss of credibility in your field, less job opportunities in the future, forfeiture of certain legal rights, and the risk of assuming civic or criminal responsibility in the event of a workplace incident.

Whether it’s doctored employment dates, mischaracterization of skills, fabricated degrees, criminal record omissions, or other deceptive claims, job applicants should avoid any false statement or claim that has an influence on a hiring decision. Here, we’ll explore the consequences of lying on a job application or resume, why job application honesty pays off, and how employment, education, license, and application checks can protect both employers and employees alike.

Consequences of Lying on Your Resume

Job applicants should be aware that nearly 55% of hiring managers already believe candidates may be partially or significantly dishonest in their applications and resumes. In other words, most companies already have some basic or comprehensive form of screening and verification in place to detect the most common lies or fabrications in the application process, heightening the likelihood that a discrepancy or inaccuracy will be closely scrutinized and uncovered prior to a hiring decision.

Detection & Loss of Credibility in Your Field

A large number of employers use not only criminal background checks, but verification services (education, employment, license, and more) to confirm the accuracy of information included on your resume. Access to candidate information is quite extensive, so a clear and verifiable lie or mischaracterization is usually easy to uncover quickly and can qualify as the basis for disqualifying a candidate. When a hiring manager unearths this issue (or multiple issues), it usually disqualifies an applicant not only for a given position, but for other positions/roles within the organization in the present and future.

Naturally, it’s better for a candidate to accurately relay their credentials and experience than to lie or embellish qualifications only to be discovered early (or later) in the process. Especially if you are asked to be interviewed, lying is more costly than simply discussing and accounting for experience, skills, or credentials that are preferred by the hiring manager. Often, character traits like candor, a willingness to learn/develop in a career field, and a sense of humility demonstrate potential to fulfill the responsibilities of a position even when credentials only meet minimum requirements. Fielding interview questions and having the opportunity to represent yourself positively and honestly is far better than being uniformly disqualified from employment with an organization (at any level, location, etc.). Additionally, when an applicant lies to one business or organization, it can damage their reputation with other potential employers, who may be aware of the past situation.

Continuing Concerns and Workplace Incidents (if Hired)

In the unlikely event that you are hired despite lying on your resume, the situation actually becomes worse: more uncomfortable for you individually and potentially even more of a legal concern.

When your employment is contingent on a lie, you are likely to feel a range of unpleasant emotions, but even more significantly, your lack of education, experience, or skills could manifest concretely as a workplace incident. Depending on your industry, this could lead not only to subpar work, but irresponsible choices that cause your (or an employee’s) injury, damage to workplace equipment, or serious issues with productivity, work quality, and more. Such incidents could easily lead to job termination, reputational damage, and legal issues, especially if your credentials are reexamined after an incident. In some professions, lying on a resume at any point could even lead to the loss or revocation of a professional license due to unethical behavior.

Job Termination

One of the most significant consequences of lying on your resume is job termination. Most employers explicitly state that lying on a resume/application (or attached documents) is permanent grounds for termination, but employers are generally entitled to dismiss an employee on this basis even without a written statement. This applies to candidates and employees whether they’ve been with the organization for a single day or multiple years.

Both candidates and existing employees should be aware that, as more companies adopt verification strategies, it is less likely that fraudulent information or omissions will go undetected. When job termination occurs (even if it’s months or years into employment), it’s also unlikely that you will receive a reference for a future position. As a result, your transition into a new job will be more difficult, and you will be obligated to account for the recent job termination when applying for new jobs.

Legal Consequences – Right to Sue & Criminal or Civil Liability

If you lie on a job application, your future ability to sue (even on legitimate grounds) for discrimination or other issues may be reduced due to the after-acquired evidence rule, which strengthens employers’ legal defense based on the inaccurate or fraudulent information they received during the hiring process. 

Lying on an application could cause workplace incompetence that results in workplace injury, reputational damage to the company, or other quantifiable losses. If this is demonstrable or if a client of the company is harmed by the employee’s incompetence, the individual employee may be solely or jointly civilly liable for either civil misrepresentation or fraud, and accountable for damages. 

In less common circumstances, criminal charges (a criminal fraud offense) could apply to an applicant/employee if their lie caused lasting or substantial harm to another individual, the organization itself, or a partnering organization. Likewise, since lying to a federal or state government agent is a crime, applicants or employees could face criminal charges if they are found to have deliberately mischaracterized their employment history, credentials, etc. when applying for a state or federal job.

Ensure Responsible Hiring and Workforce Safety with The Orsus Group

Your employees deserve to feel confident about the competency of their coworkers, the safety of their workplace, and the measures your organization has implemented to keep them protected. On an organizational level, utilizing comprehensive background screening and verification services is the best way to mitigate risk and hire candidates with integrity and credibility. Ready to hire with confidence and ensure workplace safety and productivity? Learn more about our verification services today.