The Importance of Fact Checking Your Resume
Posted September 25th, 2015
When was the last time you really scrutinized your resume? If you are like most people, there are certain sections you haven’t revised in years – education history, certifications earned, coding skills, etc. You may assume that everything is accurate and up-to-date, but a single inconsistency or inaccuracy can call everything else on your resume into question. And even if your mistake was not intentional, it could keep you from getting your next job. That’s why it’s so important to fact check your resume carefully and often. Below, we have listed some areas where common errors are often found.
Education
It can be tempting to bend the facts regarding your education, but this is always a mistake. The simple fact is that it’s very easy to verify someone’s education history, and untruths will quickly be rooted out. Only ever list degrees that you have completed in full, and only ever reference institutions that you had a formal relationship with. It doesn’t matter how close you came to accomplishing something – if you didn’t meet all the necessary requirements, it doesn’t belong on your resume.
Employment Dates and Titles
Inflating a term of employment from six months to a year, or a job title from assistant project manager to project manager may seem inconsequential. But these kinds of inaccuracies will raise red flags for any future employer. Your employment history needs to reflect the reality of your professional experience, even if it’s sometimes unflattering.
Job Performance
Resume coaches tell you over and over to state your accomplishments using hard facts. That is a great policy, but only if those facts are true. You should never try to make up metrics to show off your contribution, and when you do have metrics they should never be inflated. The best policy is to not brag about things you can’t really claim to have accomplished.
Tech Skills
In the rush to set yourself apart from other candidates you may start listing tech skills you only barely have. After all, the more the better, right? But it is now common for hiring managers to ask candidates to demonstrate these skills in person, and if your inexperience shines through you will hurt your chances significantly. Only list the skills that you are truly strong in. Being great at one thing is better than being mediocre at many things.
Don’t automatically assume that your resume is perfectly accurate. It only takes one fudged number to cast a shadow over all your credentials. As you work to craft your resume into the strongest document it can possibly be, rely on resources from Bayside Solutions.
