Don't embarrass yourself at interview
January is the biggest month for job hunters, as those looking for a new job complete their job applications, search for new roles and put the final touches to their CVs.
And why? Well the mounting Christmas debt, the January blues and the New Year’s resolutions push people to make a change in the first month of the year. People no longer want to settle for a bad location and poor pay.
During this time, people might make a few mistakes when putting their CV tougher, so we take a look at the most common pitfalls and why not to fall into them.
Most common CV lies
Exaggerated education grades- If you say you got an A in IT and you can’t use excel-they might wonder if you have been liberal with the truth.
Enhancing day-to-day responsibilities- Better to be truthful and mention additional tasks you have been assigned to show that your employer has faith in you to take on more responsibility.
Job title- If you are at the bottom of the career ladder and applying for a higher level job- chances are you won’t be able to do it without the training in between. Just show that you are willing to learn and progress- everyone has to start somewhere.
Personal achievements and rewards- Good employers will check up on such as this- no-one will hire someone who has lied at the first hurdle.
Having a sporty hobby to appear outgoing and “rounded” – like sky-diving or off-road racing- People may make snap judgements about your work ethic and personality based on your out of work activities.
Companies worked for- When looking for references- employers are well within their rights to call them up and ask about you. Don’t give them the impression that you are a fantasist.
References (using friends who were colleagues and not your manager) - If your reference is glowing then employers might be sceptical-everyone has absences.
Speaking a second language- If you only know a few words or phrases from another language- this does not make you fluent. What would you do if they asked you to hold conversation or worse a meeting with someone who speaks your supposed second language?
Covering up being fired from a previous position- If you have been let go then tell them what your have learned from the experience and how you will strive not to let that happen again.
Using jargon to impress – Using industry terms without knowing what they mean- they will ask- so if you can’t talk about them in detail- avoid using them completely.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4’s brand ambassador Nick Hewer, who’s CV (truthfully), boasts the title ‘business guru on TV’s The Apprentice’, said: “The combination of New Year resolutions and a depleted post-Xmas bank balance clearly has a massive effect on many Brits who will be looking for a better deal in 2015.
“I am not surprised that so many people admit to lying on the CVs – we see the same thing on The Apprentice year in, year out but it is worth noting that we nearly always find the lies.
“My advice would be to be honest and weigh up your options before you make any drastic life changing decisions”.