Won’t get you far

Twilight star and teen heartthrob, Robert Pattinson revealed having embellished certain details on his resume to land acting jobs, in a recent interview to a british newspaper. Why it isn't in your best interests to follow in the famous celluloid vampire's footsteps

Won't get you far

If you are among those who believe that white lies, embellished details or discrepancies on your resume can do you no professional harm, think again. Because while Twilight star Robert Pattinson may have got away with it, you may not be less fortunate.

Meghana Kulkarni, assistant manager HR-ADMIN with an IT firm says, "We ask a prospective employee to fill out a 'personal details' form at the first round, which is essentially a document that asks for details including the name, address, passport details, contact number, date of birth, PAN number, marital status, educational qualifications and previous employment details of the person.

Also, before making an offer, as company policy, the candidate has to submit his latest salary slip. We also ask for a relieving letter and an experience certificate. Delay in submission of these details can arouse suspicion. We don't make an offer to the candidate, until we are sure about them."

Meghana adds that while discrepancies in joining and resigning dates might be excusable, a person caught lying about salary details or debt owed to the previous employer or company, is unlikely to be taken on board.

Twilight actor's true lies
Actor Robert Pattinson who is best known for his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight series revealed, in a recent interview with a British newspaper, that he lied on his resume in a bid to land acting jobs in the beginning of his career. Pattison is reported to have said, "I'd been unemployed for ages, and when I came to Los Angeles all the casting directors would ask what I'd been doing for the past few years. I'd say, 'Oh, I was at RADA' (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)u00a0-- if you've got an English accent you can get away with it. I'd say I went to Oxford, too. I did it for years. But it didn't work when loads of English people started moving to LA. So then I pretended to be American for a bit. When Twilight came out, I still tried to pretend to be American, but people thought I was insane, so I stopped."

3 tips to maximise your online profile
1. post a Complete profile. Make sure your profile includes all the roles you have had. You are 12 times more likely to be viewed for potential opportunities, if you have more than one position listed on your profile. Also, it's recommended that you add a profile photo, as people tend to remember a face.

2. Expand your network. Connect to at least 50 trusted contacts. Import your contacts from your email to start finding 'first', 'second' or even 'third' degree connections, working at companies you want as clients or would like to get in touch with.

3. Ego-surf. Have you done a Google search of your name? If you haven't, you should. Prospective employers are likely to be Googling you before meetings and interviews, so it's important to read what they're likely to have.

10 words/ phrases your cv can do without
>Dynamic
>Innovative
>Extensive (experience_
>Team-player
>Motivated
>Proactive
>Proven track record
>Value add
>Skill set
>Out of the box

--u00a0courtesy LinkedIn, a professional networking site that released a list of the most overused words on CVs, last year.