What do you do? Do you take a chance that you won't get caught? Or, do you try and fix the problem without jeopardizing your chances of getting the job?
It wasn't smart to lie on your resume in the first place, because it can come back to haunt you. Even after you've been hired, lying on a job application is grounds for termination at any point in the future - even years later. That said, what can you do now when the damage is already done?
You Lied on Your Resume - Now What?
Option 1. Update Your Resume. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees and no sure way to keep yourself in consideration for the job, let alone get an offer, but you could update your resume – fix the dates, change some of the wording, etc. and tell the interviewer that you noticed some errors on your resume and have a revised copy.
Option 2. Come Clean and Tell the Truth. Another option, is to tell the hiring manager the truth, which will probably knock you out of consideration. However, at least you won't be hired based on a lie and won't have to worry about someone finding out after the fact.
Option 3. Do Nothing. The third option is to do nothing and hope you don’t get caught. The danger in that is if they have you fill out a job application, you need to be honest, because you can get fired at any point in the future if they find out and/or if they check your references and verify dates of employment.
Unfortunately, there’s really no good alternative, because, with any scenario, there’s a chance they won’t consider you for the job once they find out.
Fix Your Resume
If you've fudged the dates on your resume, fix it. Instead of having to worry about getting caught in a lie, explain the gaps in your cover letter – that way you’ll be proactively addressing them and not having to scramble after the fact.
