Is it better to be honest when it comes to employment history?

[StvnLee22]

Have been out of paid employment for years and so my cv would look pretty unappealing to most employers if I were being completely honest with my work history. Made some changes and felt lot more confident with sending it off until yesterday when I almost applied for a postal position and it mentioned employment history checking and checking with benefits agency for periods of unemployment to confirm my work history. This got me worried whether this is standard practice and whether I would be better being as honest as possible. Or perhaps I wouldn't receive any interest if I was honest? What do yo think is bulking or improving work history something everyone does or will it do me more harm than good?

[peanutbutter]

While being honest might make the job search a little harder, it is the right way to go. Especially with the economical crisis going on at the moment, companies are more rigorous with their background checks. A Yahoo! CEO has even been fired for lying on his CV and he's not the only one. If you're caught lying after getting the job, it's reason for immediate termination and cuts to any potential benefits money. Good luck explaining that on your next application.

Lying simply isn't worth it.

What have you done in the years you've been unemployed? Courses, volunteering work and several other activities, while not paid, can help show a potential employer you kept your activity levels up and kept learning new skills. Employers are more likely to hire people who kept busy instead of being the proverbial couch potato in front of the tv.

Get over to the resume forum and see if people have tips on how to improve it.

[CleeIB]

StnvLee22,

Honesty is always the best policy, since dishonesty catches up with you. (See the Yahoo CEO example that peanutbutter mentioned.) It is standard for employers to run background checks on job applicants, so they can and will catch dishonesty. That will automatically end a job application, so dishonesty hurts, not helps one's employment prospects.

As with all job applicants, work gaps or not, you can only put your best foot forward. Submit your cover letter/CV/resume here for suggestions on how to improve your presentations on paper. And browse the Interviewing resources at the top of the page for how to improve your presentation in person.

Employers understand that times have been hard, so work gaps are not fatal to one's employment prospects. Dishonesty is, however. So simply state the facts and present yourself the best you can.

Good luck!

[StvnLee22]

Thnx for responses. Had a lot of mental health issues and has created whole host of long term gaps. Didn't realise it was the norm to do checks. :roll: