Make the most of your job application

Posted by Andrew on April 20, 2017

People like to think they are honest but the reality is that it may not be possible for everyone to be 100% truthful at all times. Many situations require tactfulness, diplomacy and a good judgement of what and how much to reveal. However in job applications, it is best to go with the whole truth.

Mistakes happen, they are simply a part of life. However hiding these mistakes isn’t a good option as there is always a risk of them getting caught. Nowadays especially with the numerous background checks that the employers run on the candidate, most information can be easily verified.
On your resume it is easy enough to misrepresent facts in order to make yourself look better. However, your job application has some legal implications, in which you sign that the information provided is accurate and not deliberately misleading. This signature has the power to potentially result in you losing out on the job or termination of employment if it is proven that you have lied in your job application.

During job seeking it is definitely important to present your best side, but it is also important to stay grounded and be modest. Do not over-sell yourself if you cannot deliver on your promises. Use your judgement when revealing your life. The employer doesn’t need to know each and every detail about your personal life but if your personal life has the potential to affect your work, it is best to be honest.

This potentially allows for the chance to create a flexible working arrangement if possible. This is applicable to the smallest of details, such as if you don’t have a car, do not lie and say you drive to work. It may seem inconsequential, but if you are late to work every day because of public transport issues then it will affect your work performance. Thus it is better to be honest in the first place, so the employer is aware of the situation.

Whether it is information about your previous employment dates, reason for leaving job, or for any criminal convictions, it is important to be upfront, especially if you think it will affect your prospects of getting the job. This will leave a positive impression that you were truthful rather than a negative one, if that issue is discovered at a later stage.

Honesty is always the best policy. Mistakes can be fixed if you own up to them, but hiding your past or present can jeopardize your job prospects. Thus be as truthful as possible and remember in the long run, honesty always pays off.