When I was job searching, someone gave me what he clearly thought was premium advice. He told me, very confidently, that I should lie on my CV. According to him, it was simple: exaggerate my experience, add a few skills I didn’t really have, get the job, and then “figure it out” when I got in.
He even went further to reassure me by saying he had done the same thing himself. In his words, “Everybody lies. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Outrageous, I know. But the uncomfortable truth is that many people don’t just lie on their CVs, they actively encourage others to do the same. The thinking usually sounds logical on the surface. Jobs are scarce, competition is high, and companies ask for unrealistic requirements anyway. So why not bend the truth a little, eh?
The problem is that lying on your CV comes with consequences that go far beyond simply “trying your luck.” And many of those consequences are far more damaging than you realise. Here are five potential consequences of lying about your qualifications when job searching.
Getting caught before you even get hired
The first and most obvious risk is getting caught during the application stage. Due diligence means many employers now run background checks on CVs. This is especially true for roles that involve money, data, clients, or decision-making.
This could be as simple as verifying your previous job roles, checking certifications, or confirming your education. In many cases, employers don’t even need to dig deep. Inconsistencies show up quickly during interviews when recruiters ask candidates to explain their experience in detail.
For many people who lie, you’re not called for an interview, you don’t get feedback, and you never know why you were rejected. Your application just dies there.
Termination after hiring
What many job seekers don’t know is that employers expect some level of dishonesty on CVs. Yeah, they see you coming from a mile away. Because of this, many companies now include clauses in employment contracts that allow for immediate termination if false information is discovered, especially if that lie directly influenced the hiring decision.
This means you could get the job, start working, settle in, and then be dismissed instantly once the truth comes out. No long process. No negotiation. Just a termination letter. With cause.
At that point, you’re not just unemployed again, you’re unemployed with a stain on your record. A stain you may now have to explain in future interviews.
Reputational damage that follows you
One of the most underrated consequences of lying on your CV is reputational damage. In some industries, especially tech, media, finance, and creative fields, people talk. Recruiters move between companies. Hiring managers know each other. HR professionals share notes.
If you’re caught lying, word can spread faster than you expect. Suddenly, it’s not just one company that doesn’t trust you, it’s an entire industry that sees you as a risk.
Opportunities you were never even considered for could disappear, all because your name is now associated with dishonesty.
Being exposed by lack of skills
This is where the lie really collapses. If you claim to have a skill you don’t actually possess, your employer will expect you to perform tasks that require that skill. And very quickly, the gap shows.
Deadlines are missed. Output is poor. You struggle with basic tasks others find easy. Questions you should be able to answer expose you instead. When you’re pretending, every question feels like a trap, even simple ones.
At that point, you’re not just dishonest, you’re incompetent in the eyes of your team. And once trust is lost, it’s hard to rebuild.
Legal implications you might not expect
This is the part many Nigerians overlook. In certain professions, lying about qualifications isn’t just unethical, it’s illegal. You know what that means. In those spaces, lying isn’t just frowned upon, it could attract actual law enforcement.
Fields like medicine, law, engineering, aviation, and finance carry serious legal responsibility. Practising without proper certification can lead to severe consequences, including prosecution and jail time. In these professions, your actions can endanger lives, finances, or national systems.
What started as “just a CV lie” can quickly escalate into a legal nightmare.
So, is lying ever worth it?
The short answer is no. While lying on your CV may feel like a shortcut, it often becomes a trap. At best, you delay failure. At worst, you permanently damage your career.
A better strategy is learning how to present your real experience clearly, improving your skills, and applying for roles you can actually grow into. Employers value honesty more than perfection, and many are willing to train the right person.
In a tough job market, it’s tempting to cut corners. But your CV is not just a document, it’s your professional reputation on paper. And once that reputation is damaged, fixing it takes far longer than telling the truth ever would.
In job searching, credibility is currency. Spend it wisely. Remember, an employer is more likely to work with someone whose limitations are known, than one who claims not to have limitations.
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