Free Career and Job Search Advice

Cutie

I friend of mine just got out of an abusive marriage and hasn't held a job in 20 years. No one will hire her because she has no recent experience. Not even in low-level jobs.

She has lots of bills overdue and her ex skipped out on child-support. She just doesn't know what to do.

Could she lie and say that I she worked at a local company that closed down?
do they actually call the places to check?
is there some universal database that has all employment history?
how often is this done?
what do background checks cover?

Could she even change the name of the company and phone numbers to some out-of-business company? She can actually do the tasks that those jobs require. She just needs to lie about the time spent there, not about what she did.

What are the consequences?

Thanks

lexa10881 · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:44 am Post subject:

Lying on a resume is ALWAYS a bad decision, as they can terminate you if they should find out. Plus, most businesses do a background check and reference check. She needs to get some good personal references to include and keep going. Smaller businesses and family businesses might be good for her to check out, as they may take a chance on her.

http://www.cvtips.com/mums_returning_to_work.html

simon@whatwilltheyask.com · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject:

White lies/ embellishing the truth can some times slip through the net. But if you do, make sure you can back up your exageration (or know the details of your white lie) when you get to the interview.

simon@whatwilltheyask.com · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Lies always get found out, exagerations you can often get away with. Just remember to brush up on the details before your interview!

Pauloz · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:19 am Post subject:

Cutie

Sorry to say your friend has a bit of a learning curve ahead. As everyone else has said, forget about lying on any job application, it's more trouble than it's worth. If she gets found out, what's she going to say to her next employer?

Re your questions:

Could she lie and say that I she worked at a local company that closed down?

It's not safe. If she also lacks experience, they'll put two and two together.

do they actually call the places to check?

Nine times out of ten, yes, and it's because people give them dud information.

is there some universal database that has all employment history?

No, but they don't need one, they can go on employer records. If there's no record, there's no proof of employment.

how often is this done?

Anytime anyone feels the need.

what do background checks cover?

Police and employment records, usually.

I see your friend's got some bills to pay, and lacks recent work experience.

Community groups are sometimes the quickest way around these situations. They can help with bills, and give some tips, courses, or even work experience, (sometimes even jobs) and recent work references, which are another thing she'll need.

They also know everything there is to know about how to get help. Some can provide actual financial assistance, or other ways of helping out.

The longer she takes to get some results, the tougher it's likely to get.

Roshni Poddar

Just one thing to remember, which i learnt from my first job... If you think you are SMART, HR of a company is SMARTER...

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