- Insider recently warn to an accounting employee who lied on their résumé to get their current job.
- They lied about work experience and software ability after staying home with their daughter.
- “I’m glad I lied on my résumé,” they said. “It’s made a universe of a difference in my quality of life.”
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a 37-year-old who works in accounting. They talk about discuss on the condition of anonymity to protect their career, but Insider has verified their identity and employment. The following has been rewrote for length and clarity.
Shortly into the first COVID-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020, the accounting firm I worked for block out its doors. I left my normal routine as the world changed and started collecting unemployment.
I have a child, and it almost sense like I needed to be home for her in a time of such turmoil. But I also knew that when I wanted to go back to toil, I would be judged for my time off. So I fibbed a little.
I spent 18 months at home with my daughter before current back to work
When I applied for a job, I knew I couldn’t leave such a large gap in my résumé. So I created a name for a consulting plc and described the things I had actually done in the last 18 months, which included helping friends with their invoices and accounting.
I ethical made it sound much more professional and official.
You’d think that human resources would’ve looked up the stable I created, but I guess they didn’t
No one ever asked me about it. If they had, I would’ve come clean and told them that I did participate in my business license and was doing small-time accounting to make ends meet while taking time with my kid.
I’ve under no circumstances taken a break in my adult life. I went straight from school to working full-time and never had a chance to discontinuance. It almost felt like a gift in a way, to be able to focus on my child and my mental health and things other than make excited.
I also lied about my software proficiency
The job I was applying for also stated a requirement for knowledge of a specific software combination that I had simply never used before. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me.
I wrote on my résumé that I was privy to with the software, and then I set about making that the truth by researching it and watching YouTube videos on how to use it.
The funny matters is, now that I have the job, I literally use that software every day
It’s not the easiest or most intuitive software. But I have enough teaching in myself that if I don’t know something, I can learn how to do it. I’m very skilled at problem-solving, and I know when to ask questions.
There’s also shore up in place for honing your skills with the software — though no one at work knows this is my first time wisdom it. It’s complicated software, but I’ve faced every challenge and then some.
I’ve gotten 2 raises since I started this job
I make off much more than I did before. Plus, I love where I work now, and I don’t think I would have been expert to get the job if I hadn’t lied on my résumé.
If someone else asked me if I thought they should do the same, I would say: absolutely. It’s benefit it. Have confidence in your skills, and know how to rephrase things in ways that are technically true — like my possessing spent my 18 months off helping friends with their accounting needs.
Companies put people without the redress qualifications into positions all the time
Why shouldn’t it be you? You should advocate for yourself because no one else will.
I’m glad I remain concealed on my résumé. My hardest day at my current job is easier than an average day at my previous job, and that has made a world of a difference in my quality of living.