The Ethics of Resumes: Honesty in Job Applications

Lying about qualifications on a resume can seem tempting in the quest for a dream job, but the repercussions of such actions often outweigh the initial benefits. This article explores the ethical dilemmas involved, drawing from personal experiences and industry insights to provide a comprehensive view on the importance of truthfulness in job applications.

The Temptation and Dangers of Resumes

Lying about qualifications can lead to severe consequences, including job loss and career damage. False claims on a resume often reveal themselves over time, leading to a damaging impact on one's professional reputation. Instead of stretching the truth, it is better to focus on genuine skills and seek roles that align with true qualifications.

Personal Experience: The OS/2 Developer Role

While it may seem tempting to stretch the truth, it is important to handle job applications with the utmost honesty. I once found myself in a situation where I was tempted to embellish my experience with OS/2 API programming.

I had engaged in some OS/2 API programming while working at Marriott in Bethesda, Maryland, US. As a hobby, I had read through much of Charles Petzold's book, "Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager." I could confidently say that I had around four months of experience, though I was certainly not an expert. The experience was vastly more enjoyable than the usual monotonous tasks involving database and 4GL applications such as R:Base and COBOL.

Feeling motivated to find a job that would utilize my skills, I reviewed the "Help Wanted" ads in the newspaper, a now antiquated method for job hunting. I saw a listing for an OS/2 programmer at MCI, a telecommunications company that later purchased by a conglomerate named Worldcom (which faced numerous ethical and financial scandals).

Driven by a mix of curiosity and hope, I decided to apply for the position. During the interview, I faced an unexpected challenge when the manager, Paul, did not ask any technical questions. Instead, he handed the responsibility over to the technical team. The technical team did not seem particularly knowledgeable about OS/2 programming, and they asked only one simple question about my experience. When I answered honestly, they expressed approval and quickly offered me the job.

Lessons Learned and Future Approaches

Upon accepting the job, I vowed to dedicate myself to mastering OS/2 development. Within three months, I had become the go-to person for any OS/2-related issues, proving that initial honesty had laid a solid foundation for my career in the role.

Reflecting on this experience, I recognize the importance of honesty even when the truth may make the process a bit more challenging. Putting myself in a position where my inexperience could be exposed was risky for my career. Future job applications should be approached with honesty, always seeking roles that align with genuine skills and experiences.

Conclusion

While the temptation to exaggerate qualifications can be strong, the ethical and long-term consequences of such actions can be severe. It is always better to be honest and seek roles that align with one's genuine skills and experiences. This approach not only helps in building a more sustainable professional career but also fosters a positive ethical culture within the industry.