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Antares
Should I lie on my job application?
Asked by Antares
I'm having no luck with my job hunt because my past is sordid; I don't have anything worth putting down for the last year, and I don't have any references. I'm wondering if I take one of those jobs that I worked at and say I'm still there, and indicate on my application that they may not contact the employer, will that be respected? Honestly, the way things are going, I don't have anything to loose, but still wondering what your thoughts are. Thank you, everybody. All good thoughts. Most of my jobs were retail-related, but the one I'm thinking of listing is housecleaning, and it wouldn't show up on a background check because it was independent contracting. FYI, if my bf and I weren't about to loose EVERYTHING, I would never even think about it.

A:
tryu
Answered by Juan O

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Sure, but you may find yourself in the same position again if they ever find out.
Answered by Majestic One

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YES
Answered by Iceylava

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no not honest
Answered by jack

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lie cheat and steal
Answered by Tony R

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only if they cant find out
Answered by Billy D

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no
Answered by sara r

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Go for it. Just don't call it a lie, call it an embelishment.
Answered by Geoff G

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Yes, lie. Love Jo xx
Answered by Bouncybelle

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well, i wouldnt lie, and btw, i got my job application today!
Answered by ivory_plr

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It looks bad to tell them they can't contact your current employer. Like you're trying to hide something at your other job, which you are. They'll see through it. It's better to be honest.
Answered by Jennifer B

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NO
Answered by Garrett

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no, thats a bad idea. just keep looking for a job and maybe you'll find one thats the one. what were you going to lie on it anyways?
Answered by ashleyy

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Definitely don't do that. Just tell them that you have been helping take care of an elderly family member or that you had some personal issues that you needed to take care of but know you are ready to get back in the working world.
Answered by smash6385

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nah i dont think so
Answered by D

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No you could go to jail
Answered by Big E

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well, lying is always a bad idea in these situations cause if anyone ever found out the truth, it would be BAD... i would simply continue the job hunt with honesty
Answered by SugarHigh4Life

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saying they cant contact your last employer is way worse then being unemployed.
Answered by melissa

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probably not a wise idea
Answered by carbonite_hornet

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if you want to feel guilty every morning then sure :] haha no,i dont think it does any harm,just be careful. good luck.
Answered by Kayla

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Not that I said any of this..but, Employers for jobs under 15 dollars and hour RARELY check your past employers, so I would say instead of putting down somewhere they CAN check, why not make up a business that "went out of business" as your last employment. That way they cannot check it.
Answered by magerious

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No! Never! You can end up getting caught, fired, and in trouble.
Answered by beads110

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I dont think you should because ifypou get court put ypou could get inot trouble just keep trying ad good luck
Answered by Kaylee Luvs Wayne

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i really understand how you feel but if you do that you could end up in alot of trouble
Answered by XxXxPinkPrincessxXxX

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if you lie you will haave to explain it in the interview if you get one, and employers might not pick you just because you lied just weigh the pros and cons if it is really a hard decision for you
Answered by cowzRcool

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no it never helps to lie
Answered by watermelon_luver

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People do it all the time...If you do not feel confident about telling the truth, bend it a little..
Answered by Tavi

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if you have nothing to lose, lol, go for it. i know how you feel. not that my past was "sordid" or whatever that means. but i have only had 2 jobs, my resume is very small and getting references was HARD! good luck :)
Answered by Imogen

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Most places do a background check, so if you lie on the application, it will show up during the background investigation. Then you definitely won't get the job. A lot of places are willing to overlook some mistakes in the past, but not many will hire a person who lies.
Answered by captive_elf_princess

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I wouldn't lie, trust me. I was in your position before, just wait and the right job will come along. You may have to lower your expectations a little. But by lying you are showing no different character than before. Be a better person, don't lie!
Answered by dino

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i would not risk it cause they will probly call the employer even though you tell them not to
Answered by pinkietink4c

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A few white lies don't matter, but if you think you could get caught out, imagine yourself in that position, is it worth the risk???
Answered by voodoo lady

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dont say that you still work there because they will find out. what i would do is while you are waiting for a job, do a few hours of volunteering each week. you can put that on your aps, and maybe you can get some references from people.
Answered by jujubeee

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probably not a good idea to lie, but if you have nothing to lose try it and see where it gets you.
Answered by Laura S

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well dont lie even if you dont get the job you can always say you gave an "honest" attempt
Answered by lordi are cool

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no, because if they find out u might get in big trouble. and then they might treat you different. so NO!
Answered by soccergrl

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no dont do it
Answered by vrai

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lie, they dont check that crap
Answered by chimpdaddyflex

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If you put that you're still employed for a job you had about a year ago, they ARE going to call, and you ARE going to be found out. And then you're -definitely- not going to get a job. Make up for your lack of jobs within the last year with pluck and personality, dress up as professionally as possible, hand in resume's personally, and do your very best to make a good impression. See if you can befriend the secretaries. That always helps.
Answered by themeindzeye

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No, you shouldn't lie about anything and certainly not job applications. It'll always come back and bite you in the bite--trust me. I know it's really hard to find jobs nowadays, but if you keep trying and put yourself out there, you'll eventually find a job. The hard thing about lying is actually having to remember the lie.
Answered by craz34jason

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I would be careful about that...for one thing, if they hired you and found out later, they could legitimately fire you for lying...second, many companies run a credit application on prospective employees and you'd be caught there too as you would not show income from your "current" job. Good luck--you are in a tough situation. You might have to take a lower level type of job til you can get some legitimately experience again..so try to live and learn about doing "sordid" things....
Answered by Carrie W

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it's illegal and when they find out they can terminate you. it's against 99% of employers contracts when you sign the application. you're asking for trouble in doing so. i do not recommend it.
Answered by Heather

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Generally on applications there is a section that says that if any information you supplied if false it is grounds for dismissal. but its your life, so maybe just go for it!
Answered by campZac

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THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL AND CHECK SO NO JUST MAKE YOUR JOB APPLICATION SOUND RIGHT FOR THE JOB
Answered by Sleepingdead

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How about formatting your resume to be a functional resume--list what you can do rather than the fact that you haven't been able to hold down a job. I'd be hitting the internet looking at how to format a resume. P.S.--You could lie but if they find out then your list of "jobs not worth listing" will get longer because you'll have been fired.
Answered by wnycutiepieii

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you dont need to lie have you babysitted that a good refrence house sat i always found its easier to find a job once you have one for example get a part time and put them as a ref
Answered by Hipolito M

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Here is a trick and it works like a charm. Say you are still at the other company and give a friends number as reference and they can pose as your manager. Done it many times. Good Luck
Answered by clever girl

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ok- i should not say this. but back in 98 i was 18 yrs old. i had very little experience. (before i went to college). so i lied and put down that i was a manager of a cell phone store for a year and the business shut down due to the owner moving. i put my friend as the owner and gave his number so when they called he would vouch. Plus he was a business man, so he knew how to sound professional anyways. It was believable, and it was a desperate move and I got lucky. i would not recommend this unless someone was super desperate. but you have to be careful, they DO have more intense background checks now days and do not put anything extremely crazy. Do not lie about an employer you have worked for- they will ask them. Do not lie about a degree either. Good luck.
Answered by thisistheonlynamenoonehad

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It's not right to lie, but as you said, they won't catch you since you'll check that they may not contact the employer. I don't know your past and why it's that bad, but if you're really that desperate and have nothing to lose, go for it. Good luck.
Answered by infinite vortex

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There's nothing wrong with saying they can't contact your current employer. If you were the current employer and found out one of your employees was looking for other jobs, how would you feel? That's why that box is there! It doesn't mean you don't get along with your current employer, just that they might not take it well to know that you're looking for other jobs.
Answered by Tyrone


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