Why is it a bad idea to add skills you don’t have on a resume?
When applying for a job, it’s tempting to want to make yourself appear more qualified than you actually are. One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is adding skills they don’t possess to their resume. While this may seem like a good idea at first, there are several reasons why it’s actually a bad idea. First of all, if you add skills to your resume that you don’t actually have, you risk looking dishonest. Employers are looking for honest, reliable employees, and if you’re caught lying about your skills, it can reflect poorly on you. Additionally, employers may be able to find out that you don’t have the skills you claimed to have, which could hurt your chances of getting the job. In addition to looking dishonest, adding skills you don’t have to your resume can also be dangerous. When you list skills on your resume, employers may expect you to be able to do that job. If they find out you’ve been lying about your skills, they may put you in a situation where you’re not qualified to do the job, which could lead to you being fired or reprimanded. Another reason why it’s a bad idea to add skills you don’t have to your resume is that it can be difficult to back up your claims. If an employer asks you to demonstrate the skills you’ve listed, and you can’t, it could be a sign that you’re not qualified for the job. Even if you’re able to bluff your way through an interview, you may still be asked to demonstrate your skills at some point, so it’s important to make sure you’re only listing skills you actually possess. Finally, adding skills you don’t have to your resume can be a waste of time. Many employers are looking for specific skills, and if you don’t have them, it’s unlikely you’ll be hired. Rather than adding skills you don’t have, you should focus on highlighting the skills you do possess. Overall, adding skills you don’t have to your resume is a bad idea. It can make you look dishonest, put you in a situation where you’re not qualified to do the job, and is a waste of time. If you want to make yourself appear more qualified than you are, focus on highlighting the skills you actually possess rather than lying about the ones you don’t.
For another perspective, we asked Judge Josh at Outlaw Student the same question — here’s what he said: https://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/03/padding-principle-1-don%e2%80%99t-include-skills-you-don%e2%80%99t-have/