The Consequences of Misrepresenting Education on a Resume

Let’s talk about something that might seem like a harmless shortcut but can actually cause major issues—misrepresenting education on a resume.

We all know how competitive the job market can be. When you’re trying to land that dream position, it’s tempting to make your resume just a little shinier than it really is. Adding a fake degree or stretching the truth about your credentials might feel like a small thing, especially if you’ve got the skills to back it up. But here’s the honest truth—misrepresenting education on a resume can have serious, long-lasting consequences. It’s just not worth the risk.

Why are candidates misrepresenting their education?

When you apply for a job, you are usually facing a lot of competition. So, naturally, people always want to stand out the best way that they can. And there will always be people who misrepresent themselves, they add random skills and degrees, just to stand out. They don’t expect someone to verify, but they do know that those fake degrees will help them surpass other candidates.

• It comes from the pressure to compete, and to stand out when compared to other people. If there’s only one spot and 40 people vying for it, naturally you will find some cheaters.
• There’s also over-confidence, since many people think that companies don’t verify credentials. So they think they will get away with lying, which is never the case.
• Desperation can make you do some stupid things, and lying in your resume is definitely one of them.
• Some people lied in their resume and used a fake diploma because they went to study, but they dropped out. However, they claim they got that degree, even if they clearly didn’t.
• Career shifts can also push people towards using a fake degree. They want to add credentials that make them knowledgeable within the industry, and not someone new who just entered.

How do employers verify credentials for candidates?

It depends on the company. But for the most part, they will contact the university directly and see if the person studied there or not. They will also enter a third party service which does their own checkup, just to see if everything is as it was explained. Reference checks, database searches and even cross-referencing online profiles is something that many companies will do.

The reality is that, depending on the position the applicant wants, they will find themselves dealing with a background check, diploma check and so on. Granted, these need consent, but not offering consent for a background check is already a major red flag, as you can imagine.

What consequences can you face if you misrepresent your education?

Ideally, you always want to represent your education properly, and show what really happened. The truth is that you will always encounter all kinds of problems and challenges, and a lot of the time, it could even lead to legal risks. That’s why you can never be too careful when it comes to representing your education the right way. 

• If you get caught lying, you will lose the job you currently have. Depending on the company, there could be other punishments. It all comes down to their own terms and policies that they have.
• Your reputation will be damaged, since people know that you lie in your resume and your skills are not as impressive. That can be a huge challenge, and that’s why it’s not ok to use a fake diploma to misrepresent your skills and education.
• As mentioned earlier, it also leads to legal risks. In many fields, all the work that you did could be re-analyzed and it can bring severe consequences. That’s why you can never be too careful with these things, and you need to address everything in a consistent and professional manner.
• Of course, it’s safe to say that it’s very embarrassing to get caught with anything of that nature. But it does happen, most of the time a lot more often than you realize. And that’s the thing, people try to fake it until they make it. However, a lot of the time they will get caught red-handed.

Does this bring any long-term career consequences?

Absolutely, lying on your resume and claiming to have degrees that you never acquired, that does bring in various career consequences. Job termination is obviously the most immediate consequence. But it also becomes harder to find a job in the same industry, if not impossible. Many times, you get blacklisted from the industry, and that’s only going to become an issue going forward.

You could lose a professional license, if you ever had one, and it’s also possible to have a permanent digital record of the lie. As expected, that won’t sit well with a lot of employers, so it’s extremely problematic to deal with these things. 

What can you do to avoid these problems?

Clearly, dealing with any type of lie in your resume will bring consequences. That’s why the best thing you can do is obviously, not to lie and to keep everything clean, the way it truly is. Highlight your real skills and experience, and if you have incomplete education, be honest about it. After all, saying the truth is what matters, once you start lying you will deal with problems, and that’s what you want to avoid.

You do want to always pursue certifications and skills that fit your specific niche. Those will add a lot of value, certainly more than a fake diploma that could get you into trouble a lot of the time. It also helps to showcase your portfolio and projects that you worked on. Many employers actually want to see hands-on work instead of diplomas that could be fake in the first place. And yes, there’s also the option to continue your education, regardless of the age. Many people in their 30s and 40s go to university, so try to keep that in mind.

The way employers handle misrepresentation

If you are misrepresenting yourself and lie in your resume or use a fake degree, employers will find different ways of dealing with that kind of situation. If they find out during the time you get hired, they are rejecting you right away. 

However, if they find out after hiring, they will do an internal review and then they decide if you are terminated or not. They also modify the company policy sometimes, especially if this was the first time someone misrepresented themselves and lied in their resume. There will also be more education on integrity, especially when it comes to candidates. That’s something which will happen from time to time. At the end of the day, it’s imperative to be honest and not lie. Most of the time, companies will find out, and that will certainly bring in various problems for you.

Closing Thoughts: Honesty Really Is the Best Policy

In the end, misrepresenting education on a resume might get your foot in the door, but it could slam that door shut just as quickly. Between background checks, digital records, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth, the truth usually finds its way out. Instead of risking your reputation, your job, or even legal trouble, focus on what you do bring to the table—real-world experience, hands-on skills, and a willingness to grow. Employers value integrity just as much as a degree, and staying truthful is always the wisest (and safest) path forward.