Competition for the best positions is getting tougher in today’s workspace.

Businesses and employees are both looking for ways to nail the recruitment process. For both, it’s the CV at the heart of it all. It’s the best way to put yourself out there and the first thing employers can use to assess a candidate’s qualifications. 

But employees’ CVs seem to hold a dark secret. A new 2022 survey into UK employment has revealed that 32% of the respondents surveyed have admitted to lying on their CV and/or during the recruitment process. Over 60% of those who lied said they would lie again, too.

The Most Common Lies

According to the data, the most common demographic to lie on a CV is the 25-34-year-olds. It’s the group that might find fit difficult to get on the career ladder in this economy. Often fresh out of University with a degree but lacking any relevant experience. It’s not a big surprise to find the most common lies on a CV are:

1. Experience

Companies are always looking for a mix of experience and skills. It is often the person with previous experience who gets the job if compared to someone with a similar skill set. But getting on that career ladder is hard, and many people are struggling to get experience in relevant roles.

And so 51% of respondents said they have lied to cover the fact they don’t have much experience. It’s the most common lie candidates tell.

2. Skills

If it’s not the lack of experience, it could be your limited skill set ruining your chances of getting an interview. 38% of respondents admitted they have lied about their skills. 

Companies want specific skills and eager applicants want to ensure their CV mentions all of them. Embellishing or over-exaggerating your capabilities can seem like an easy and harmless strategy to get a spot in an interview. 

3. Previous Salary

26% of respondents have also lied about their previous salary. Saying you made a bit more than you did can help negotiate a higher starting salary in a new job.

But out of all the most common lies, it’s the one that arguably brings the most risk. A company could easily verify a candidate’s previous salary through references from the old employer.

Is Lying on a CV Worth it?

The temptation to lie is there but if you do, are there consequences? 93% of the respondents who lied said they haven’t been caught. 40% of the people still held the same job when they took part in the survey.

Ironically, the majority of respondents said they didn’t gain an employment advantage. Many felt it gave them no benefits at all. The truth is that the negative consequences could be devastating. 14 people who took part in the survey said they faced legal action. Lying on a CV can make you lose your job and it could hinder your future chances with other employers. 

The answer is clear: lie at your own risk.

The survey was conducted in 2022 by StaffCircle, a performance management software company