Today I heard a story about a friend who had discovered a former colleague had… um… got ‘mixed up’ on her linkedin profile. The result was that this woman had effectively given herself my friend’s career history.
It’s not the first time I’ve heard of – or seen with my own eyes – people ’embellishing’ their careers on linkedin.
Of course it’s a tough economic climate, you have to sell yourself. But I have mixed feelings about linkedin. On the one hand, it’s a very convienent way to send someone your CV if they ask for it, or show off your work, touch base with former colleagues and get references.
But I do wonder if people assume that because it’s online they can put any old nonsense. Give themselves jobs they never held, embellish their job titles, and so on. And hope they don’t get caught out.
The thing is, though, the past does have a way of catching up with you – particularly if it’s a past that doesn’t belong to you.
What do you think? Should you embellish your career history on linkedin – or is it better to tell the truth from the start?
I have a colleague who was made redundant and when we saw what she put on her LinkedIn CV she was describing MY work. I’m sure she could talk the talk but I know for a fact she couldn’t deliver. Low and behold she didn’t make her 3 month probation period and was off “freelancing” somewhere else.
If you watch programmes like The Apprentice, you’d be forgiven for thinking that these types of tactics are exactly what gets people the top jobs these days. Yes, you will get caught out eventually, but you can have a hell of a ride in the meantime!
best to tell the truth. xx
I’d never even think of lying on my CV!!! I’d be absolutely horrified if I got caught out, or couldn’t follow through with the skills I claimed I had. I like to think my experience/abilities speak for themselves without having to embellish!
“Borrowing” someone’s work history (etc) smacks of fraud to be honest. I would worry in such a situation that if I was given a job that I’d be 1) not up to the task which would become apparent quite quickly and 2) that I’d be constantly looking over my shoulder.
Clever language, tarting yourself up etc is common – you are essential selling yourself but misrepresenting yourself by giving false information is a no-go.
To answer your question, tell the truth from the word go!