by Alison Greenon February 27, 2024
A reader writes:
I got a job offer last week that I’m really excited about, especially because I was let go in mid-January and it’s been stressful to job hunt. I was recruited to apply for a few different positions, and one ended up with an offer. I told the recruiter I wasn’t currently employed, and he said I shouldn’t tell the company I was interviewing with. Everything online said the mostly same thing — don’t tell anyone you’re unemployed when interviewing.
I’ll admit I didn’t have my resume updated with an end date of my employment with my previous employer, because I was always told it looks better to be currently employed, and I figured the difference between January and February wasn’t that big of a deal. I also work in an industry where it’s standard to be locked out the second you give notice, so telling potential employers that I’m available to start immediately isn’t a red flag for anyone.
However, I was trying to avoid actually lying and saying I was currently employed when I wasn’t. In the interview that lead to my job offer, they directly asked if I was currently working at my last company, and I said panicked and said yes. (My after-the-fact justification is that I am working a bunch of side gigs to make ends meet while I look for something permanent and full time. But, still. I lied. And I feel terrible about it.)
I’ve never been laid off before, and my savings are dwindling rapidly. I’ve never lied to an employer before either. My previous company doesn’t provide references, only confirms dates of employment when asked, which is also industry standard. I don’t think this new company will check with my previous employer, since they believe I’m currently employed.
Should I come clean to my possible new employer? I have an offer letter, but the job offer is contingent on references and background check, so it’s not set in stone. Should I tell them after I start? Take this to the grave? Is this something everyone does (which is what my friends have told me) or is it actually a big deal to lie about this?
It can be a big deal. If they find out about it, it’s the sort of thing that’s very likely to be a deal-breaker, because if you lied about something as concrete as whether or not you’re still employed somewhere, they have to wonder what else you might have lied about in the interview or what you might lie about on the job.
And even if they don’t call your old employer for a reference, there are other ways they can find out — like they’re talking to one of your other references who says, “I was so surprised when Jane was laid off in January” or otherwise mentions it.
It sounds like people really steered you wrong with their advice to consider your layoff a dirty secret that needed to be hid at all costs! It’s really, really not.
It’s true that employers sometimes are biased toward people who are employed … but that’s usually a case of more extremes, like they’d prefer to hire the employed person over the candidate who hasn’t worked for the last three years. Someone who’s been unemployed for a month? That’s barely likely to register.
The advice not to say you’re unemployed when interviewing generally means: don’t go out of your way to mention it, but don’t outright lie. In other words, you don’t need to proactively announce it, but if you’re directly asked, “Are you still at your last job?” you need to tell the truth. I don’t know if people were telling you to outright lie (if they were, don’t take advice from them anymore) or if they just were saying you didn’t need to advertise it and you took that to mean “lie.”
As for what to do, what’s done is done. Coming clean about it now is likely to make it into a bigger deal, when it otherwise could fly under the radar. Hope it doesn’t come back to bite you this time, and just don’t do it next time.
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FAQs
If they find out about it, it's the sort of thing that's very likely to be a deal-breaker, because if you lied about something as concrete as whether or not you're still employed somewhere, they have to wonder what else you might have lied about in the interview or what you might lie about on the job.
What happens if you lie about employment? ›
Lying on a Resume May Get You Fired
You could get fired if you've landed a job after a resume lie, background check, or in your interview. This is especially true when the fraud relates to a relevant part of the job.
What happens if you lied in an interview? ›
However, the outcome of a lie may mean that the employer is acting illegally by employing the individual, or the lie that is told may be significant enough to destroy the trust and confidence required between employer and employee and can result in the employee's dismissal.
Is lying about employment illegal? ›
In California, lying on a resume can lead to automatic forfeiture of all employment rights. In addition, the employee can also be treated unlawfully by the employer and be unable to hold the employer liable.
Can you get in trouble for lying in an interview? ›
Falsification of a job application, or lying during an interview, is generally considered disqualifying misconduct. However, that does not apply very easily if the claimant lied in answering an illegal question, i.e., a question that the employer is not supposed to be asking.
Will a background check show I lied on my resume? ›
Final thoughts on lying on your resume
Not only could it have severe consequences, but it is simply dishonest and unethical. False information on a resume is likely to be uncovered during the background check.
Can you go to jail for lying on your resume? ›
Lying on your Resume may count as fraud, a criminal offense in the United States. Some states consider fraud a misdemeanor; others states consider it a felony. A misdemeanor charge can land you up to a year in prison, whereas a felony can get you up to 20 to 30 years maximum in the United States.
Can you mess up an interview and still get the job? ›
The Takeaway
If you're lucky, they may just look past whatever snafu happened during the interview—big or small—and give you the job anyway. Of course, this is mainly likely to happen despite a less-than-ideal interview, you have relevant experience and the desired qualifications for the job.
Can I sue employer for lying during interview? ›
A lie in and of itself does not necessarily qualify for a lawsuit. However, if an employer has lied to you in the context of false promises to get you to accept or stay in a position, and the legal grounds are present, then yes, you should be able to sue them.
Can an interviewer tell if you are lying? ›
During interviews, the actions that indicate a candidate may be lying include a lack of eye contact and signs of nervousness. Interviewers ask behavioural questions using the STAR Method by asking the same thing in different ways. If the candidate provides inconsistent responses, it may suggest dishonesty.
People lie on their resumes to supplement a lack of experience and appear more qualified in competitive job markets. Lying on your resume may result in consequences such as termination or legal ramifications. Employers can tell you're lying on a resume by conducting background checks and contacting your references.
Can I get fired for lying on my resume? ›
Misrepresentation on a job application or resume will almost always be considered a good reason for terminating an employee. Further, lying on your resume or application may also be considered fraud, and if the employer suffered damages due to the lie, then you may be civilly sued for fraud.
Can you sue a recruiter for lying? ›
In addition to recruiter liability for discrimination, re- cruiters can be held liable under traditional tort theo- ries. One example is civil fraud. The way such a claim would arise is that a recruiter knowingly made a mate- rial misrepresentation of fact which induced a candi- date to accept a job.
What if I lied in an interview? ›
Telling the whole truth about yourself in a job interview may mean losing a position to a better-qualified candidate. But the alternative—lying about your degree, qualifications, or experience for short-term gain—inevitably will come back to haunt you. People who lie during job interviews are risking a lot.
What happens if you lie to get a job? ›
As a result, if an employer finds out that your application contained falsehoods, they can take you out of consideration for the job or fire you. Also, if you lie about having particular skills and end up getting the job, it can create other stresses in your daily work life.
Can I lie in an interview about how much I make? ›
In fact, a CareerBuilder study has found that the third most popular lie that candidates tell is about their former salary. But, clearly candidates should not lie about their salary; it's immoral and a little foolish as employers are on to you, and they will find out because it's very easy to check.
Can you sue a company for lying about a job? ›
You can make a legal claim for "fraudulent inducement of employment" if the employer has defrauded you into staying at a job or taking a new job or position. As long as the change is based on the employer's false statements, you have a claim. You will need to prove: The employer's intention.
Can you get in trouble for lying at work? ›
Getting caught lying to your boss can definitely get you fired. But could it also lead to criminal charges? In some cases, yes. If your lies are serious enough, you may face charges like fraud or falsifying records.
Can employers find out where you worked? ›
Can employers see your work history? Employers can, and usually will, verify that you've worked at the jobs you list on your resume. However, they won't typically find past jobs that you haven't listed on your resume unless you added them to your credit report or posted about them on social media.
What are the consequences of lying to employees? ›
Once a person is caught lying, their reputation can be irreparably damaged. This can affect their career progression and future opportunities. Legal and Financial Consequences: In some cases, lying at work can lead to severe legal and financial consequences.
