Could you be the next Scott Thompson – fired for lying on your resume?

Few people hold such high-visibility jobs as Thompson, until recently the CEO of Yahoo. So you might not think a little white lie – a stretching of the truth – will matter on your resume. You might think no one will notice or no one will check. You know you can do the job – so what’s the harm?

Well, for one thing, it’s a lie. For another, it’s the beginning of a slippery slope. First you lie on the resume, then that lie gets repeated in a company bio and becomes permanently attached to your name. The more widespread, the easier it is to check, and the more likely it will be spotted by someone who knows it for a lie. The risk is not worth the potential reward – and it’s the wrong thing to do.

Most people who think about lying on resumes are, in my opinion, insecure about their credentials. They are sure their “issue” – whatever it is (lack of a degree, lack of a specific degree, a gap in employment, a lower-level job title) – will make it impossible for them to get the job they really want. They want to be competitive against other candidates who – they are certain! – have all the right stuff.

My advice: Focus on what you DO have, not what you don’t. Emphasize your successes and be able to tell a compelling story about your challenges and accomplishments. Be confident in your value!

And find ways to make that “issue” less obvious on your resume. (Hint: Hire a professional resume writer!)

No, you can’t make yourself qualified for jobs for which you don’t have the required credentials. But the key issue is not the credential, it’s the mindset and confidence. Did Scott Thompson really think a degree in computer science from 25 or 30 years ago made him more qualified to lead a technology company than simply having an accounting degree? Chances are, no. But when he first perpetrated that lie, he believed that he needed it to land the job he wanted. It was all downhill – down the slippery slope – from there.

Key takeaways from the National Resume Writers’ Conference I attended last week in lovely Portland, Maine:

• The resume is just the beginning. We talked a lot about resumes – but just as much about LinkedIn profiles, online visibility and social networking, personal branding, and ways to beat the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that are used by just about every employer.
• It’s never too late to learn. I enjoyed seeing how some very talented colleagues gather information from clients and write powerful executive resumes. And yes, this old dog learned a few new tricks!
• Shorter, tighter, crisper, sharper … This is my new mantra. I need constantly to strive to say more with less, cut the clutter, and get to the heart of the matter.
• Industry rejuvenation. It was great to meet so many up-and-comers in our industry! I’ve been around “forever” and known many of my colleagues for 10, 15, or 20 years. It’s lovely to have those long-time relationships, of course, but I was jazzed by seeing the energetic newcomers.

Now, back to work …

Excellent story in the Wall Street Journal about being truthful on your resume. (I am always thrilled to be quoted!)

Key point: Don’t lie.

My take: Most people distort the truth because they are insecure about their credentials, scared they won’t get a job, and convinced every other candidate has a perfect slate of qualifications.

Solution: Really believe in your own value! Know what you’ve done, what you have to offer, and how you will benefit your next employer. If you do have a challenging issue – e.g., no college degree, large gaps in employment, desire to change industries or change careers – accept the fact that traditional applications (online postings) are not the way to go. Focus on networking, personal contacts, targeted search. Make your case with power and passion! The credentials (or lack thereof) take a back seat to the knowledge, value, and insight you offer.

Resume-writing colleague Arnie Bolt shared findings from a recent ExecuNet meeting he hosted, in which a panel of executive recruiters was asked how they work, how they evaluate candidates, and what they look for in resumes and other communications. Universally, the recruiters wanted to see an entire work history on the resume, even if it went back to the year “dot” and included irrelevant information.

My advice: Give them what they want – but not right away! Use your strategic, well written, concise, and on-target resume to spark that initial phone call. Then, if you are a strong candidate for one of their searches, go right ahead and give them chapter and verse on everything you’ve done. At that point, you’ve cleared the initial screening and won’t advance any farther unless you comply. But don’t shoot yourself in the foot by giving them what they think they want in your initial contact.

Let’s face it – you can’t possibly include everything you’ve done in your career on your resume. Go with the most high-impact, relevant, and meaningful information to incite interest. The resume is, after all, a marketing document. You can provide the entire prospectus once your audience is interested.

Interesting article in today’s Boston Globe about gaining relevant experience through volunteer work.

Key points:

• Don’t volunteer just anywhere doing anything; look for an opportunity to use existing skills or build new expertise.
• Invest time volunteering to determine if a new career path is right for you – you get to literally “try before you buy.”
• Take your commitment seriously – fulfill your obligation.

Good examples in the article included a woman doing volunteer records research for a nonprofit social agency and a former financial analyst who’s now assisting in a middle school math classroom. Both are seriously considering a permanent career switch that requires additional education – they’re very smart to get their feet wet and see if they really like the new field!

Yes, you can certainly put this experience on your resume. No, you don’t have to volunteer that you’re not getting paid for it. It might make up the very first “experience” segment on your resume or might appear towards the end, under “extras” such as professional affiliations. It depends how central it is to your current goals, perhaps how long you’ve been doing it, what your current employment status is, and other factors. Still, it can be relevant, solid, and meaningful experience that you can showcase as a prime qualification for your new career.

Meg Guiseppi over at the Executive Resume Branding Blog has a terrific post on this topic… with some expert opinions, thoughtful analysis, and great advice.

The bottom line: You need to be visible online. You need to have a compelling and up-to-date LinkedIn profile with some pertinent, stellar recommendations.  You should take the time to create a VisualCV to present a rich picture of yourself beyond your resume. All of this is vitally important both during a job search and for ongoing career management.

But…. you still need a resume. In fact, all of these pieces should go hand-in-hand to present a powerful, cohesive, on-brand message about you and your value.

More and more job seekers are turning to professional resume writers in hopes of getting a sharp edge in a competitive job market. As with any significant purchase, it’s wise to do your homework, investigate your options, be clear on what you’ll get, and carefully screen the businesses and individuals you are considering working with.

Joann Lublin said all that (and much more and much better!) in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. She interviewed me extensively to obtain the quotes and information featured in the story. I was very pleased to give her some positive information to counteract the sad tale that leads her article.

I know literally hundreds of resume writers who are talented, ethical, and deeply devoted to the interests of their clients. In fact, I wrote a book (Directory of Professional Resume Writers) that lists many of these writers and provides comprehensive guidelines for how to choose the right pro and how to best work with him or her to achieve a positive outcome. Bottom line: Do your homework; be sure your expectations are clear; and participate fully in the process of developing your career marketing materials.

VisualCV.com gives you the chance to build a unique web portfolio – a richer, more compelling version of your traditional paper/Word resume. You can add graphics, documents, audio and video files and go from telling about what you’ve done to showing… and selling.

The site recently held a “best VisualCV contest,” and not only are the winning entries inspiring, they have also led to job offers!

Oh… and the best part? You can build and host your VisualCV for free. No fees, no ads, no sponsorships.

I have been affiliated with the company since the planning stages – I’m on the advisory board and I wrote an “Insider’s Guide” for creating a powerful VisualCV. (It’s a free download.) So yes, I guess I am biased! But I haven’t seen anything that comes close to the ease and value of this free portfolio service. Not to mention the other value-added benefits that include connecting with employers, recruiters, and others.

A reader sent me this query privately: “I was just laid off from an advertising agency when the agency lost our largest client (30% of billings) when the client merged with another company. My former client as well as employer have said they would serve as references for me. My question is – Should I mention this in my cover letter and if so, how?”

The question is two-fold: 1) Should I explain why I lost my job and 2) Should I mention the great references that I have.

It might be helpful to briefly explain the circumstances that downsized your company. However, don’t assume that people are going to read your cover letter (many never do), and be sure your resume is strong enough to stand on its own. In other words, focus on your value to the company while you were there and be ready to answer the “why did you leave” question during an interview.

With regard to your references, why not ask your former boss and client to write reference letters for you now, then excerpt a few of their fabulous quotes in your resume or cover letter? Third-party endorsements are very powerful! Saying “my former boss and client will give me great references” doesn’t have nearly as much meaning as a specific and glowing recommendation of your work.

Thanks to CJ Russell for asking such great questions! You can hear his interview with me here and check out his blog, “Secrets of the Job Hunt,” here.