Meet the GuestBack on the mic with Astro’s Syok Podcast, Joselyn Lau—Hiredly’s VP of People & Culture—shares the resume lies recruiters catch way more often than you'd think. With 10+ years of recruitment experience under her belt, Joselyn has seen it all. From exaggerated job titles to made-up certifications, she joins Tako and Wei Wen to talk about the consequences of resume fraud—and how to stand out without faking it.1. Faking Work ExperienceYep, some candidates straight-up invent roles they never had or bump themselves up to titles like “Senior Manager” when they were actually interns.❌ Bad Example: Claimed you were Head of Marketing… when you were actually assisting with social media posts. ✅ What to Do Instead: Be honest about your role, but highlight what you actually accomplished.💡 Tip: Even junior roles can impress if you focus on your impact. Think: “I supported campaign A and helped boost engagement by 30%” — that’s way more valuable than a fake title.📖 Related Read: How to Write Work Experience on Your Resume2. Exaggerating SkillsEver claimed you're fluent in a language you barely speak? One candidate did—and froze during a Japanese interview greeting. Awkward.❌ Bad Example: “Fluent in Japanese” when you can only say “Arigato.” ✅ What to Do Instead: If you're still learning, say so. Mention what stage you're at and how you’re building your skills.💡 Tip: Honesty wins. Recruiters respect self-awareness and effort more than fake confidence.📖 Related Read: Stop Rating Your Skills on Your Resume—Here’s What to Do Instead3. Lying About Education or CertificationsSaying you have a degree when you don’t? Big red flag. Employers do verify your education.❌ Bad Example: “MBA from [insert fancy uni]” when you actually did a 2-week online course. ✅ What to Do Instead: If you’re currently studying, be transparent and list your expected graduation date.💡 Tip: Don’t have a degree in the field? Show your knowledge with side projects, work experience, or online certifications.📖 Related Read: How to Build a Successful Career Without a Degree4. Hiding Employment GapsGaps happen—and that’s okay. But faking jobs to “fill in the blanks”? Not a good move.✅ What to Do Instead: Be upfront. Whether you were freelancing, caregiving, or taking time to upskill, just say it. It shows maturity.💡 Tip: You don’t need a perfect job history—just a real one.📖 Related Read: Addressing Employment Gaps on Your ResumeA small lie might seem harmless, but it can ruin your credibility and cost you the job. Employers want people who are capable, not perfect. So instead of faking your way in, focus on showing your progress, honesty, and potential.Want more career advice? Browse job opportunities on Hiredly, join the Young Talent Community, and take the Hiredly Work Personality Test to discover jobs that match your strengths! 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Astro Syok Podcast