Recruiters: Lying on Resumes Common

Employers say they seldom hire jobseekers that embellish their qualifications.

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Though nearly one in 10 jobseekers admits to embellishing their qualifications on a job application, few employers are getting fooled, according to CareerBuilder.com.

In a survey of 8,700 workers nationwide, about eight percent said they've lied on a job application, the Chicago-based online job board reported. At the same time, a separate survey of 3,100 recruiters found roughly half have caught inaccuracies on applications.

Most of these employers said they've automatically dismissed candidates who submit a trumped up resume. Those that continued to consider these applicants said they seldom end up hiring them.

The survey found most resume liars tend to exaggerate the responsibilities of a previous job, followed by additional skills and inaccurate employment dates.

By industry, hospitality, transportation and IT had the highest rates of bogus resumes, while the public sector had the lowest.

Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com said even the slightest exaggerations on a resume can ruin a candidate's credibility.

"Use your cover letter strategically to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed," Haefner said in a statement.

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