Lies by Omission, Permission and More

Both you and the employer have a job to do and a position to fill. Today’s employment applications are an obvious form of a structured, yet legal, Q&A document. Employer’s question, and you answer! Always respond truthfully regardless of your own personal opinions or objections. Never adjust the truth to your liking. From the employers perspective — only one truth exists. Applications gain strength and positive attention when reinforced with truth!

Need more convincing? Keep reading to find six of the most common examples of how some job seekers struggle to find their “truth” and may sabotage themselves when completing applications.

Sample Platter

When you are asked to submit “all employment positions” within the last five to ten years and you decide to omit certain positions, expect failure! This will be interpreted as a form of falsification, the inability to follow simple directions, or a total lack of integrity! Employers’ don’t waste time wondering why this information was omitted or why you submitted only a sample of the truth. Small bite-sized portions of truth become expensive mistakes. Besides, it’s extremely easy to discover an applicant’s lies of omission. Take the high road and conduct due diligence. If needed, you can contact the IRS to request copies of your employment history. Though your request may come at a cost, it’s cheaper than the alternative!

Educational Round Up

Don’t give yourself permission to upgrade your educational background in any way. If your degree requires only one more semester, one more class, or one more year to complete, this doesn’t give you permission to claim completion. State your chosen degree along with the number of years, semesters/hours you actually have completed. When asked if you completed your degree, answer honestly. Either way, it’s still an accomplishment! Therefore, resist the urge to round up to the nearest full degree.

Excluding Employment Gaps

When compiling your resume, consider any employment gaps and how you can incorporate relevant activity you did during that time period that best represents your skills and knowledge; and be honest in your assessment. There is no need to close the gap, if you will, or eliminate them completely. Gaps are a normal part of employment. If shortening gaps have worked for you in the past please refrain from continuing this practice going forward. If this information is new to you, I encourage you to get to your nearest Workforce Solutions career office or selected public libraries to participate in a resume and application training seminar. Visit Workforce Solutions to check current dates, locations, and times for all of our most popular seminars. Appointments aren’t necessary, but get there early because our seminars are always FREE!

Still not convinced that truth is easy? Then join me again in my next blog, “Lies by Omission, Permission and More (Part 2)” as we continue to discuss additional methods of self-imposed sabotage often used by some (well-intentioned) job-seekers, while completing applications.

Frieda Carmouche is a member of the Regional Facilitator team specializing in training, educating and assisting students, job seekers, employers and career center staff throughout the Gulf Coast region, regardless of abilities. She obtained her BFA in Graphic Communications and minored in Psychology from The University of Houston. Frieda, a native Houstonian with a love of training and development, and has been employed by Workforce Solutions for over 10 years.