Lie about your qualifications for a job if your survival depends on it?

I have lied. I didn’t feel bad about it and usually pulled off the job.

This is tricky to me. If you believe you can do the job and not waste the company’s time and resources then you lie might be pardonable. When people lie to stall for time or take a job they know they’ll botch up just for a paycheck then that’s more criminal.

If my very survival depended on it, of course I would lie. That is, if I was at least confident that I could quickly learn what I’m lying about and do it properly.
Not much advancement if you lie, get in and then are fired two weeks later because you can’t pull it off.

I would call it exaggeration, If you are not qualified and do not think you can do the job, then do not apply for it.
If you know you will be able to do the job, then apply for it, even if you have to exaggerate a little especially if your survival depends on it. good luck.

How many times have you heard of someone who lied on a resume or app for a lower level job, got hired and did such a good job that they over time moved up to the leadership of the organization, Then when they are powerful enough to make enemies or for some other reason they are found out they end up getting publicly fired. They are not remembered for their successes but for being a liar and possible con man.

If it happens to important people once or twice a year, how often do you think it happens to average people?

@galileogirl So besides getting a job I might end up running the company and get on the TV after I’m caught. Quite an improvement from where I am now, I can tell you.

@jackofnotrade Well if you think losing your job. be publicly branded a liar, spending all your money on lawyers and humiliating your family is a step up-I guess you have your answer. But wouldn’t it be easier to actually get the skill you falsely claim?

@galileogirl No it wouldn’t be easier and I don’t have time to get all of the possible skills I might need for all of the jobs I could apply for.

@jackofnotrade I see what you’re talking about, Dr

I don’t think it is ever a good idea to lie. You would always have it hanging over your head. What if you were in the job a year and were found out? You would be fired immediately.

I might exaggerate my skill level, but not to the point, if they do a background check, and check references, and find out differently, that I lied.

I’ve exaggerated on my resume before, just to get the job, but not to the point, that I knew I couldn’t learn that skill on the job, quickly. I always got hired too, and was able to perform and keep that job, by learning very quickly.

The job, I have now, I didn’t exaggerate my skills or past experience, that is a good thing. Because someone got hired for the job I have now, instead of me, and they lied. When their references were checked out, the employer found out they lied, and fired them.

I was their second choice, and that is how I got the job I have now. If you know you can do that task, and you don’t have experience in it, I would lie. At least, you would have worked for a couple of days, and made some income, than none at all, that is, if you do end up being let go.

I don approve or indulge in lying of any sort, for any reason. Most people can reach a good outcome by figuring out the best possible ‘spin’ on their experience, but lying is wrong.

if you can live with the guilt of knowing that if you mess up, someone might get hurt, mentaly, physicaly, or emotionaly, then go ahead, but i think you should stick to what you are good at.