Is it ever acceptable to lie on your CV?

In BBC’s smash hit television series Industry, the plucky Harper Stern (a career-defining turn from Myha'la) easily runs rings around her colleagues at Pierpoint. But while she proves herself to be a vital asset in the business, she secured the esteemed internship at the bank not through her abilities, but by lying on her CV (she claimed to have graduated university with a degree in economics). It’s the stuff of a TV drama, but résumé untruths are not entirely uncommon in the real world.

In more recent times, two Labour MPs have faced (admittedly, fairly mild) criticism on what appeared to be exaggerations on their CVs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s LinkedIn landed her in hot water when it claimed her stint at the Bank of England was nine months longer than it actually was (this has since been amended, with a spokesperson for Reeves citing administrative errors). Elsewhere, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds was chastised after he was described to be a solicitor on his old constituency website—despite never actually finishing training. Again, human error was cited to explain the discrepancy. Neither apologised, and apart from handwringing and sniping from political opponents, no punitive measures were issued.

Harper lands her role at Pierpoint by lying about her qualifications

While it’s easy to sneer at high-profile figures being ‘called out’, lying on our CVs (or ‘massaging the truth’ if we want to be kinder to ourselves) is surprisingly common. A study by Civas in 2023 found that one in every five UK workers have exaggerated when applying for a role. The most common lie, according to another survey, was the reason why someone left their previous role, followed by employment dates and job responsibilities.

Rearranging reality and minor adjustments to time frames is one thing, but when does playing fast and loose with the truth step into the realm of downright fraud? It’s a slippery slope, explains Jo Hayes, a cultural commentator and workplace expert.

“Those who lie in small things are far more likely to lie in big things,” she tells Harper’s Bazaar. “If you have to lie to get a job, you’ll need to lie to keep a job.

“Lies will always catch up with you. Living a lie, even a ‘small’ lie, is a heavy load. You’ll sleep much better at night knowing you live a life of honesty and integrity. And your career will benefit, in the long run.”

It’s a puritanical viewpoint, particularly when considering the difficulties of trying to stand out among a crowded and sluggish job market. Recent research by Prism recruitment has revealed the number of available jobs is steadily declining across the UK; on average, for every open role, around 25 jobseekers will be applying. With people desperate to land employment, particularly in the current economic climate, it's understandable that a few overzealous superlatives may slip into CVs when describing skills or responsibilities.

“The main reason is the fear of missing out on job opportunities,” Elizabeth Willetts, founder of Investing in Women, explains. “Candidates can worry that they won’t be considered if they don’t meet every requirement, so they tweak their experience to appear more qualified. Others may feel pressured to match industry competition or bridge a gap in their work history. In some cases, people lie out of desperation, particularly if they’ve been job searching for a long time without success.”

Exaggerations, tweaks or distortions, even if they seem minor, can cause significant problems if they are seen to be hugely misleading to an employer, Willets continues. “While minor embellishments may slide, anything that distorts the truth too far can quickly cross the line into dishonesty,” she says. “There’s a difference between selling yourself and outright deception. A polished CV highlighting your contributions, impact and strengths is not only okay, it’s essential in today's competitive job market. What’s not okay is fabricating experience or inflating achievements beyond what’s reasonable.”

And word travels fast, particularly in small-knit industries—but even in larger ones that share recruiters or hiring managers. In a world where so much of our lives are lived online, the digital footprint you leave may not necessarily match what you have described on your job application. Victor Julio Coupé, a digital marketer, recalls how one jobseeker’s loose attitude to the truth had far-reaching consequences.

“If you lie on your CV and get caught, that reputation follows you,” he says. “One candidate exaggerated their role at a past agency. When they applied to another company, a hiring manager who knew their previous boss caught the lie. That one mistake cost them multiple opportunities. Integrity matters, especially in digital-first industries where your track record is easily searchable.”

However, playing it straight with your abilities doesn’t mean your CV needs to be a bullet-point bore. “The key is to frame your experience in the best possible light without distorting the truth,” explains Willets. “For example, don’t say you’re fluent in Spanish when you only know a few basic phrases. It’s better to say you have ‘conversational Spanish’ abilities.”

Patrick J Adams played Mike Ross in ’Suits’, who landed a job as a lawyer after he pretended he’d graduated from Harvard

To ensure your CV has the greatest impact without slipping into the realms of fantasy, using powerful, results-driven language that can quantify your achievements is the firmest way forward. “Instead of ‘helped with social media,’ say ‘developed engaging content that boosted engagement by 30 per cent’,” Willets explains. “Numbers add credibility and impact.

“If you’re switching industries, highlight skills that apply across roles—like leadership, project management, or problem-solving. Highlight the most relevant experience for the role while staying truthful. f you don't have direct experience, emphasise how quickly you can learn and adapt, or showcase relevant personal projects.”

Of course, candidates have to sell themselves, with their résumés often acting as a shop window – so it may feel natural to feel some imposter syndrome or to have a steep learning curve when starting new employment. “But if you’ve lied or seriously exaggerated your experience, you’ll quickly feel out of your depth,” Willets adds. “Reputation is everything; being caught in a lie can close doors rather than open them. It’s always better to be upfront about your strengths and trust that the right opportunity will value what you genuinely bring to the table.”

Lead image: Pexels

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