"No" to Inflated Résumés!

The Operation Varsity Blues scandal led briefly to a related topic on the program Fox and Friends this morning, and I thought we’d address that here. It is the “inflation” of résumés. What that means is that the entries included imply a greater level of achievement than the person has actually mastered. Even worse, prospective employers and school admissions counselors also see entries that are totally false. So here’s the bottom line: don’t do either.

In other words, if you cannot completely back up every single entry on yours, don’t include it. This is especially appropriate for late teens and young adults trying to enter college or the job market, but is sound advice for younger students, as well. You already know that developing skills and achieving goals are important to your résumé building. Just make sure that every entry is truthful and accurately reflects what you have accomplished. I would rather see you with fewer entries that were honest than any at all that were inflated.

But do understand that if you have done an activity in part, you can include that in an entry like this: “Presently learning ________” or “Learned beginner level _______.” That communicates that you are not accomplished in the area, but that you are still developing or did some initial learning. Especially as a student, that is expected. You then modify your résumé as you progress. But always be honest about where you are.

Keep in mind that the habits you cultivate now will underscore the choices you make for the rest of your life. Work to make the right ones—especially in the area of honesty. Those around you will appreciate it.