Work Experience on a Resume: Is There Benefit in Embezzling and Lying on a CV? / ITech content

Purity, conscious commercialism, and social Darwinism are terms often used by those mastering new approaches to entering the IT field. This topic has sparked a heated debate on social media, which prompted our editorial team to create a special podcast. We discussed how such phenomena affect the professional community and what consequences they can have for career development in information technology.

You may ask: "What method is this?" In fact, it is simply an adaptation of the principle "the ends justify the means." That is, beginners, be prepared to use any techniques. Lying, attributing non-existent skills and achievements—any means are acceptable if they help you bypass HR and land the technical interview you desire.

This technique has attracted the attention of many experts, who argue that this approach is not only ethical, but also practically the only correct one in today's environment. Competition has increased significantly, making it increasingly difficult for newcomers to break into the market, so they are forced to take action. Ultimately, few will pay attention to a small lie if the result is success and recognition.

We decided to find out the opinion of the IT community on this issue.

Understand, but not accept

In most other industries, such issues have long been resolved. You must admit, it would be inappropriate to see such discussions in medical journals or on professional forums dedicated to rocket science. This underscores the maturity and development of these fields, where questions of efficiency and standards have already been addressed. The IT sector, while relatively young, has undergone significant changes over the past three years, fundamentally altering the labor market in this field. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all aspects of life, including employment and the requirements for IT specialists. Some of our experts express understanding for young job seekers, even if they don't share their opinions and approaches. This highlights the importance of adaptability and willingness to change in a dynamic IT market.

A developer at Amazon and author of the Telegram channel «Coding Interviews in a Nutshell». Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, he actively shares his experience and knowledge about technical interviews. His content helps developers prepare for interviews by covering key aspects and strategies for successful programming interviews. Links are an important element of web content, providing navigation and access to additional information. They help users easily find the pages and resources they need. Using links correctly is important to improve user experience and SEO. Internal links contribute to better indexing of a site by search engines and help users navigate the content structure. External links, in turn, can increase the authority of your site if they lead to high-quality and relevant resources. Proper link design and placement, as well as their anchor text, play a key role in attracting traffic and improving search engine rankings. Therefore, pay attention to creating effective and informative links to improve the visibility of your site and its usability. When I started my career in IT, experience manipulation was not a common practice. However, this has changed. The labor market is increasingly competitive, unlike anything we've seen before. When graduates visit hh.ru, they see that most vacancies require experience. The question of where to get it without finding a job becomes pressing. This creates a vicious cycle. Therefore, it's not surprising that resume manipulation is becoming increasingly common. If it weren't a pressing issue, hardly anyone would resort to such methods.

If all applicants start increasing their experience, this will lead to skill inflation. In situations where five years of experience were previously required, employers may automatically increase this period, indicating eight or even ten years in job postings. Thus, the problem will only worsen, creating additional difficulties for honest candidates and complicating the process of recruiting qualified specialists.

If I were given the chance to go back to the beginning of my career, I wouldn't cheat. Instead, I would focus on working on open-source projects, volunteering, and finding startups where entrepreneurs are strapped for cash. It's important to remember that you can even start with unpaid work to gain experience and connect with a mentor. There are also unpaid and paid internships at various companies. For example, I started my career at Yandex 10 years ago as an intern for minimal pay. This experience became a valuable stepping stone on my professional development path.

The temptation to skip a grade and land a high-level position is truly strong. If the deception isn't uncovered, it may seem like a stroke of luck. However, on the other hand, inflated employer expectations can lead to rapid professional exhaustion and burnout. It is important to remember that an honest approach to employment ensures a long-term career and job satisfaction.

Front-end developer from Minsk, actively participates in the developer community. He is a speaker and organizer of frontend meetups such as MinskCSS and MinskJS, as well as the FrontendConf conference. He has a deep knowledge of web technologies and is eager to share his experience with others.

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Candidates are always and everywhere prone to exaggerating their own skills and experience, which is especially noticeable in the outsourcing industry. Here, the practice of introducing junior developers as senior developers is common, and many are familiar with this phenomenon. Frankly, job seekers often exaggerate their accomplishments, but the situation is further exacerbated by employers' demands, which often require qualifications that exceed the actual needs of a project. This disparity creates difficulties for both candidates and companies seeking suitable specialists.

I do not support resume inflation. However, if the period of employment is changed from one and a half years to two years, and nine months rounded up to a year, this may be justified. Employers also have their own limitations and criteria. In this context, I see nothing wrong with a slight exaggeration, especially if the candidate is truly a highly qualified specialist, has passed all interview stages, and is successfully fulfilling the duties of the new position. The main thing is that their skills and experience meet the company's requirements.

Attributing non-existent experience or exaggerating length of service is unacceptable. Such facts are easily verified during interviews. As a hiring manager, I have repeatedly encountered blatantly inflated information on resumes. For example, a 19-year-old candidate listing four years of industrial development experience raises doubts and leads to the elimination of such applications. Even candidates with more than 10 years of solid experience sometimes make outlandish claims. If a resume states that a person has a deep understanding of 10 different technologies, this is most likely not true. Clarity and honesty in listing skills and experience are key to successful employment.

There is no perfect hiring process. No amount of interviews can guarantee you will find the ideal candidate. The only way to evaluate how a person handles the job is to hire them on a trial basis. Even if a candidate exaggerates their skills, if they successfully complete the assigned tasks, there will be no complaints in the long run. Selecting the right employee takes time and careful evaluation, and a trial period is an important step in this process.

Full-stack programmer, host of the podcast "We are doomed", founder and CEO of the company "Developers", and also the organizer of Russian-language IT meetups and conferences in Thailand and Cyprus. With extensive experience in development and project management, he actively shares his knowledge with the community, promoting the exchange of experience and the development of the IT industry in Russian-speaking countries. Participating in his podcast and events provides excellent opportunities for professional growth and networking in the tech industry.

I didn't distort the facts, but only expanded them. For example, I listed my experience at my father's company on my resume, although in reality, I worked there no more than an hour a day. Initially, this significantly helped me pass HR screens. However, during interviews with the team lead, I always shared the truth if he asked relevant questions.

Questions of ethics and pragmatism are always on the agenda. For me, interaction with an employer is a business process, where the key aspect is the ability to effectively sell your skills and experience. Therefore, I feel no remorse in this context.

From a rational perspective, you shouldn't take a job that clearly doesn't match your skills and abilities. Lying to future colleagues in a situation where the truth will inevitably come out is unwise. It's better to focus on finding positions that match your experience and professional qualities, which will ensure more successful collaboration and personal growth.

Finding the right balance is important. If you're just starting out in your career and have already tried many approaches without success, you should understand that there may be no other way. Quitting your first job, even with a feeling of failure, may be preferable to no job at all.

A developer at Amazon and author of the Telegram channel «Coding interviews in a nutshell». Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, he shares valuable tips and strategies for preparing for programming interviews, as well as discusses current topics and trends in software development. This channel is a useful resource for developers looking to improve their skills and ace interviews with major tech companies.

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A front-end developer from Minsk, actively involved in the developer community. She is a speaker and organizer of front-end meetups such as MinskCSS and MinskJS, as well as the FrontendConf conference. Her activities promote the exchange of knowledge and experience among front-end development professionals.

Links are an important element of web content and play a key role in SEO. They help users navigate the site and also contribute to improved visibility in search engines. There are several types of links: internal and external. Internal links connect pages of the same site, which helps improve indexing and user retention. External links pointing to other resources can increase your site's authority in the eyes of search engines. For links to be effective, they should be placed in a context that is useful to the user and use descriptive anchor text. Regular link audits will also help avoid broken links and improve the overall site structure. Proper use of links is not only a way to improve SEO, but also a way to enhance the user experience.

Full-stack programmer and host of the podcast "We Are Doomed", as well as the founder and CEO of the company "Developers". He actively organizes Russian-language IT meetups and conferences in Thailand and Cyprus, promoting the development of the IT community in these regions.

A lie disguised as truth, but it shattered on the truth

Many experts believe that any form of lying is counterproductive. Ultimately, the truth always comes to light, and the consequences can be painful. Time spent on deception becomes in vain, and a feeling of shame for wasted time arises.

Software Engineer, specializing in the development of urban infrastructure management systems for megacities around the world. The main area of work is backend development and database design. A professional in creating effective and sustainable solutions that help optimize urban management and improve the quality of life for residents.

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Pretending 10 years of experience as 12 is not the biggest problem. However, outright lying is a serious mistake. If a newbie with no practical experience or internships tries to present themselves as an experienced specialist, they will quickly be exposed. It's important to be honest about your skills and experience to avoid negative consequences and build trust among colleagues and employers. Honesty on your resume and in interviews is key to building a successful career.

It's important to highlight the recent scandals involving the so-called "wolves" in the CIS. Such specialists have no chance of being hired for serious projects, especially outside the country. The European market, in particular, places high demands on qualifications, including diplomas, references, and certificates. These aspects become decisive when evaluating professionals wishing to work internationally.

If someone lacks references and commercial experience, they will be offered an unpaid internship for six months. If they perform well, they have a chance to secure a junior specialist position. The secret to success is simple: develop your skills, take on challenging tasks, and strive for self-improvement. Otherwise, you risk going on job interviews for years or getting a low-paying position in the public sector, which may be the limit of your career ambitions.

Junior developer at Rubitech LLC. My primary technologies include Python, Flask, Postgres, RabbitMQ, and Docker. My work focuses on developing and maintaining web applications, optimizing processes, and ensuring system reliability. Using modern tools and approaches, I strive to improve code quality and enhance the functionality of the company's projects.

I've decided not to engage in self-promotion. This issue is finally resolved for me. There's no need to delve into the ethical aspects; it all comes down to pragmatics.

I feel anxious when I don't live up to the expectations of others, even if those expectations are my own. This internal conflict takes more time and effort than the process of gaining real experience and knowledge.

The second reason is that I'm a very open person. I shared my experience from my first month working on YouTube with Andrey Pronin and run a Telegram channel where I honestly talk about my mistakes. This transparency allows me to establish trust with my audience and receive feedback, which is important for my development as a content creator.

Despite all my efforts, I can't take credit for anything unnecessary, as everything is available for verification. Before moving into IT, I actively spoke at marketing conferences and wrote articles that can be easily found using my name and associated dates.

A candidate for a junior position came to us for an interview with a deliberately inflated list of experience. During the interview, he couldn't explain a single technology listed on his resume and didn't present a single real-world project. He completely failed live coding, which left me feeling ashamed and regretting the time I'd wasted. This case highlights the importance of resume honesty and real skills for successful employment in the IT field.

Software Engineer, specializing in the development of urban infrastructure management systems for megacities around the world. His primary focus is backend development and database engineering. He is an expert in creating efficient and scalable solutions that optimize urban environments and improve the quality of life for residents. Links play a vital role in website navigation and search engine optimization. They provide connections between various pages and resources, allowing users to easily find the information they need. It is important to use internal and external links correctly to improve your website's visibility in search engines. Internal links help distribute page weight and improve indexing. They allow users to delve deeper into content, increasing time spent on the site and reducing bounce rates. External links, in turn, can increase the authority of your resource if they lead to high-quality and relevant sites. To use links effectively, consider anchor text, which should be informative and reflect the essence of the page to which the link leads. It is also important to ensure that links are relevant and functional to avoid 404 errors and provide a positive user experience. Proper formatting and smart use of links improve SEO and attract more visitors to your site.

Junior developer at Rubitech LLC with experience in modern technologies. My technology stack includes Python, Flask, PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, and Docker. I actively develop my programming skills by developing efficient and reliable applications using advanced tools and methodologies. My work focuses on producing high-quality code and optimizing development processes.

A lie makes an enemy of a friend

There are also more radical opinions among experts. Some argue that people confident in their ability to cheat the system are harming not only themselves but the entire industry. These "smart guys" can destabilize the market by creating false expectations and undermining trust in professionals in their field. It is important to understand that honesty and transparency are the basis for the successful development of any field.

Team leader and IT consultant with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry. He runs the "Timlid Obviousness" Telegram channel, where he shares insights and recommendations for professionals, and the "Koda Koda" podcast, where he discusses current topics and trends in technology and team management. Links are an important element of web content, helping users and search engines navigate the internet. They can be internal, pointing to other pages on your site, or external, leading to resources on other domains. Proper use of links improves navigation and enhances SEO. It's important that links are relevant and lead to quality content, as this affects your site's authority. Effective link placement and use of anchor text also help improve search engine visibility. Remember to update your links and monitor their functionality to keep your content relevant. The topic of experience manipulation is actively discussed in the IT community. This practice is unethical and a form of deception. Working with such people isn't the best idea, as it can negatively impact your reputation and the quality of your projects. It's important to build a career on honest achievements and genuine skills, not on a manufactured image.

I've decided not to work with such people. As a hiring manager, I consider deception on the part of a candidate a serious drawback. Even if they demonstrate excellent skills and knowledge, and I decide to hire them, if the slightest problem arises, I'll begin to suspect they may have deceived me in other ways as well. For example, they may be working several full-time jobs, devoting only a few hours to each. This creates a risk for the business and calls into question the reliability of such employees.

Arguments like "the employer is to blame for conducting poor interviews and failing to recognize scammers" are self-evident. This is reminiscent of the saying "without a sucker, life is bad." I wonder if the perceptions of adherents of this approach would change if they began to receive all services—treatment, education, repairs, and legal assistance—based on their own logic?

I don't believe in blacklisting unscrupulous candidates. Public outcry due to a damaged reputation is most often an isolated incident. Sometimes, the scammers themselves are proud of their actions: numerous texts and videos can be found online where they talk about deception, presenting it as a story of "success." Such materials emphasize that many people use dishonest methods to achieve their goals, which can negatively impact the reputation of honest professionals.

Currently, the problem of employment for entry-level IT specialists is becoming increasingly pressing. Many applicants with basic knowledge and skills face difficulties when trying to get an interview. Despite the time and effort expended, and the potential financial investment in training, they often find themselves rejected at the resume review stage due to a lack of experience. Under these circumstances, new professionals begin to accumulate fictitious experience to increase their chances of advancing to the next stage—the interview. This allows them to demonstrate their real skills and knowledge. It's important to find a balance between honestly presenting your skills and meeting employers' expectations to successfully enter and advance in the profession.

This is a difficult moral dilemma, and there is no single right answer. With over 15 years of experience, I understand that I have no right to dictate how others should live their lives, especially when they face challenges that seem less significant to me. Each person has their own unique circumstances and challenges, and it is important to respect their choices and path.

Senior backend Python developer at Tochka Bank with experience in developing high-load systems. I enjoy sports and singing. I was previously a jazz vocalist and performed in various jazz clubs. My hobby helps me develop creativity and discipline, which positively impacts my professional work in programming.

Lying seriously damages both individual companies and the entire industry. If a candidate manages to convince the employer of their extensive experience throughout the interview process, they will be expected to quickly and efficiently complete complex tasks. However, such "impostors" often fail to fulfill their assigned responsibilities, which leads to financial losses and negatively impacts the entire team. Given my experience, I have an extremely negative attitude toward this.

Host of the Podlodka Podcast and organizer of the Podlodka Crew conferences. Previously, he held the position of Head of Android Development at Rambler&Co and headed the mobile department at Yandex Food.

Links are an important element of web content, facilitating navigation and improving the user experience. They allow users to navigate between pages and resources, significantly increasing the accessibility of information. Proper use of links also plays a key role in SEO optimization. It is important to create high-quality internal and external links that help search engines index your site and users find the content they need. Optimizing the anchor text used for links can also improve the visibility of a page in search results. It is important to keep in mind that links should be relevant and useful to the audience, which helps increase user time on the site and reduce bounce rates.

In my work relationships, I prioritize collaboration over competition. Long-term goals and sustainable relationships are more important to me than short-term results. I believe that accumulating experience without a thoughtful approach can be counterproductive and even harmful.

Trust within a team plays a key role in reducing overhead and transaction costs. When team members are honest with each other, the decision-making process becomes much more effective. Ease of problem-solving and open communication contribute to more productive work. If I notice that a candidate has provided false information on a resume or during an interview, I prefer not to consider them. Honesty is the foundation of successful collaboration and creating a harmonious working atmosphere.

The more widespread misinformation from applicants is in the labor market, the more complex and confusing the interview process becomes. This creates additional difficulties for employers, forcing them to develop more sophisticated methods of candidate assessment. As a result, the quality of recruitment decreases, and there is a need for more thorough background checks on candidates.

I do not support methods that profit at the expense of potential problems in the future. In the long run, it will be better for everyone if interviews focus on candidates' actual skills rather than on trying to figure out whether the candidate is telling the truth. In my opinion, those who advocate manipulation only push us further away from achieving this goal.

It's important to note that the hiring process is often flawed and can be prone to irrational decisions and adherence to popular myths. For example, many companies state that two years of experience is required for a position, and this becomes the standard. Therefore, it's not uncommon for candidates with only one year of experience to claim two years to pass the initial screening. However, I wouldn't want to work with colleagues who get hired based on outright lies.

The key to addressing the problem of low expectations and misinformation is to foster a healthy hiring culture. This can be achieved through open discussion and providing constructive feedback to companies with ineffective hiring practices. Creating a transparent and honest environment will help eliminate the need for distortion of facts and improve the quality of recruitment.

Team lead and IT consultant with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry. He runs the popular Telegram channel "Timlid Obviousness," where he shares expert opinions and current trends in technology and project management. He is also the host of the podcast "Koda Koda," which discusses important aspects of software development and teamwork practices. Links play a vital role in web content, providing navigation and connecting various pages and resources. They help users find the information they need and improve a website's search engine optimization. Using links correctly is essential to improving a website's search engine rankings. Internal links help improve a website's structure and user retention, while external links increase a resource's authority. Optimizing anchor text, properly distributing link juice, and regularly checking link health are key aspects of effective link management. Properly organized links will not only improve user experience but also have a positive impact on your website's SEO.

Senior backend Python developer at Tochka Bank with experience in developing high-load systems. Her hobbies include sports and singing; in the past, she was a jazz vocalist, performing on the stages of jazz clubs.

Host of Podlodka Podcast and organizer of Podlodka Crew conferences. He has experience managing the Android development department at Rambler&Co and also oversaw the mobile department at Yandex Food.

Links play a vital role on the internet, providing navigation and access to information. They help users navigate between pages and resources, improving the overall user experience. The importance of links is also evident in SEO, as search engines consider the quantity and quality of incoming and outgoing links to determine a page's relevance. Effective website promotion requires creating high-quality links that enhance its authority and search engine visibility. Proper link structure, descriptions, and anchor text are crucial, as this will improve site indexing and attract the target audience.

Conclusions

Should you build up your experience or take the direct route to your goal? The decision is yours. However, it's worth remembering that reputations are built over time but can be destroyed in an instant, for example, by a careless tweet. It's important to carefully consider your actions and make informed decisions to maintain your reputation and succeed in your chosen field.

The IT hiring process does have its drawbacks. On the one hand, HR specialists often don't invite candidates who lack several months of experience or certain formal requirements on their resumes to interviews. On the other hand, some applicants successfully bypass HR filters, landing positions that could have gone to more qualified candidates. This raises the issue of fairness in the recruitment process. It's important to find a balance between formal requirements and the applicants' actual skills to ensure a more effective and fair IT hiring process.

Consider whether you can establish healthy relationships with colleagues if your actions are based on deception. What will happen when the truth is revealed? Are you confident that you can avoid being exposed? If the potential consequences don't faze you, then feel free to attend interviews, but keep in mind that honesty and transparency always lead to stronger, more trusting relationships within the team.

Otherwise, we recommend paying attention to our speakers. First of all, you can gain the necessary experience without cheating: take on freelance projects, participate in open-source projects, and complete internships—such opportunities are often offered by companies like Yandex, Tinkoff, Sber, and other major IT giants in Russia. Secondly, any relationship based on lies is like a house built on sand: it will inevitably collapse.

Work Experience on a Resume: Is There Benefit in Embezzling and Lying on a CV? / ITech content

Contents:

Understand, but not accept

A lie disguised as truth, but it shattered on the truth

A lie makes an enemy of a friend

Conclusions