Recession Resumes: How Low Can You Go?
The recession continues to lower expectations and raise questions, including this one: Is it acceptable to doctor your resume in order to get a job?
Resume inflation—with its over-written under-achievements—has long set the workplace standard for autobiographical unacceptability.
But is resume deflation just as irresponsible?
Employment agencies and job recruiters are reacting to the growing numbers of unemployed workers they see dumbing down their experience and credentials in an effort to land a job for which they are over-qualified. Their deflationary techniques include “hiding advanced degrees, changing too-lofty titles, shortening work experience descriptions, and removing awards and accolades” from their resumes.
The new bio-degradable biography isn’t sitting well with some employers. “I’d never feel comfortable putting a really high-level candidate into a lower level position,” says an employment agency recruiter who now sees doctoral degrees listed at the bottom of resumes instead of at the traditional top. “How do I know I can trust them later down the road,” she asks, “if there’s something on their resume they decided to take off so they could have a better chance getting that job?”
For over-qualified job seekers, “scaling back the truth—or at the least, some of their experiences—can feel like the only chance at an interview.” The new semantics include downgrading titles like “manager” to “staff” and “office support.”
Job seekers are frustrated and confused by which face to show the new workplace. One under-employed, over-experienced, executive-level resume-sender deleted details of her speaking engagements and board positions. Another complained that when she minimized her experience on paper, a potential employer called her references, only to find out she was over-qualified.
Yet another laid-off worker with years of executive experience sent out thousands of accurate resumes, only to receive zero job offers. “But I can’t dumb down my resume,” he says, “because that would be lying.”
Tell us what you think: Is dumbing down a resume unethical? Should survival trump responsibility, and if so, where do you draw the line? Is it more responsible to state your true experience, or to land a paycheck?
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I think corporate business ...
I think corporate business in general discriminates against workers over 40 in general. I listed all of my accomplishments and several recruiters, potential employers stated “what happened”?
I have worked hard all of my life and received excellent performance reviews. The bottom line is the economy imploded which I had no control over the events. I have not lied but scaled down portions of my resume to get in the door. Companies want cheap workers right now, I think we will should hold our ground and know that the employment market will change. I cut back a lot on expense and am surviving, I feel the tough times will keep me focused going forward.
It stinks but that is reality. I am working on industry educational designations and upgrading my computer skills. I will be ready and prepared when the economy turns. Best of luck to all of you.
William Young | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Administrative Assistant
I have sent out so many resumes, I have also gone back to school. I still can not receive a job? I think it is not right to that Human Resources all over NYC will look at your resume and think you are over qualified so they just trash it.
Renee Thompson | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Glazier
I have had experiences with this sort of thing in the past.I’m on workmans comp,and also social security disability.I have been told that if I get off the things that i,m on and get a docter to sign off saying that there is nothing wrong with me that they would hire me in an instant.I know that it,s wrong,so I never even tried to do it.Am I wrong?
Roy T. Sullivan sr. | 3 months, 1 week ago
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I think it is okay
To me it seems like the PhD are getting the Master degree jobs, and the Masters are getting the bachelors jobs and bachelors are getting the high school jobs, and high schoolers are babysitting. Anyways, my resume doesn’t have every little high school job I had on it growing up? Does yours? If I want to leave off my PhD, is that lying? Would I ever say I had a PhD when I didn’t ? Absolutely not. I would put relevant information for the job, if they aren’t looking for you to have a degree and you do, that isn’t any of their business. I love the post that says “Have you ever seen a job ad that provides any negative or irrelevant detail about the company or the position?”
Good luck to everyone out there. I do believe it will get better. I’m fresh out of school with large student loans, but I am determined to stay afloat, if that means 3 part time job at $10 an hour for 60 hours a week, then so be it.
I would also listen to the Dave Ramsey show for more advice on how to handle your finances.
James | 3 months, 1 week ago
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The Employers only hired the liar candidates
In the past 8 months, I searched for jobs and applied over 250 jobs that was posted on several different sites; and I learned several employers are only looking at a liar resume:
1) when I see the job description was match my technical background about 70-80%, I send my resume to the employer. I was never called for any phone screen interview from the employer. So I call some recruiters and discuss about this same job. Recruiter suggested me to change my resume to match with the job description. I did changed and updated and submit my resume to recruiter so he/she can talk to employer. After this, I was called for a phone screen interview. Up to now I haven’t got any job offer, because I didn’t speak very well on the part that I make it up to match the job description.
2) About 20 out of 24 recruiters were asked me to lie on my resume otherwise they will not submit my resume to the employers because it is not 100 % match
3) Most of the managers that I worked with before in the past 8 years asked me to lie on the product that it was plan to move to the customers or production such as there are some defect issues found on the software that will be selling to the customer, but I was told not to report these to the upper management level.
4) Liars will be existing on the industries’ environment. I was out of job because I can’t be a liar => this is my experience for over 12 years working in professional industries.
Did Horness | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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Questions
Hi how are you all?? well lets say I have not work over 5 years and I still know how to type fast and good. is it all right to put my skill even no job yet???for office clerk. any thing or idea to put down on resume to convince them? Thanks alot Gerald
Gerald | 2 months, 1 week ago
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forward e mail to.......
Hi please try to forward of your info to Eric to see and thanks.
Eric Voo | 2 months, 1 week ago
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send me all the info
please send me all your info to see on screen and thanks from gerald friend
Mike trainor | 2 months, 1 week ago
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Insurance Professional
I have been unemployed since July 3,2009. As an unemployed independent CAT insurance adjuster I have felt pressure to apply for staff jobs, and daily claims work. I have sent out several resumes all of which have been truthful and honest. I am a person of integrity and I refuse to be dishonest and unethical in my search for employment. I know that honesty is the best policy and I believe I will be rewarded for my respondsible attitude. Since I hold license in several states,I know I may need to relocate, but I am ready and willing to honestly comply in order to get a job.Dumbing down a resume is not an option for me. I am good at what I do so, I don’t need to lie and try to make myself look better.
Brenda Hurley-Shank | 1 month, 1 week ago
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Honestly!!
When doing a resume, you really should be honest with your achievements and ect. A high-level canidate should’nt have to demean their self in order to gain enrtry within the work force. Though completeing and submitting your resume; should be done truthfully… essentially sometimes its something you have to do.. so i dont have any compliants.
Jamell Harris | 4 weeks ago
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