Career Clinic: Will a few white lies on my CV boost my training contract chances?

A little white lie now - but then what? A few years into practice, a little padding of the timesheets, a little shredding of documents, a blind eye turned?By all means emphasise your strengths and downplay your weaknesses, but an out-and-out lie is just not on.

Law student -29 Jan 2007 | 14:05

I (and pretty much all of my friends from LLB/LPC) engaged in a little bit of exaggeration - and provided there is a grain of truth on which you can chat convincingly at interview, go for it. Most recruiters (in any field) will be slightly sceptical of all the claims on a CV so you cannot go too over-the-top. But keep it believable i.e. don't say you were President at your uni LawSoc as no doubt the president has already used that CV point and it could be a bit embarassing if you both get the same interviewers.And keep applying for vacation schemes!

City trainee -29 Jan 2007 | 15:17

If you get caught then you will lose the training contract and probably never be able to become a solicitor because no-one would ever certify that you are of 'good and suitable character' (or whatever the precise wording is). Present the truth as favourably as you can, but don't lie. If it comes up in an interview, you need to be able to explain and justify what you wrote.

In-house lawyer -29 Jan 2007 | 15:55

I have two friends who applied to many firms before bagging training contracts. It was unclear what was letting them down but, rather than taking the dishonest route (those aren't white lies, they're just lies), they both spent more time thinking about their performance and building demonstrable knowledge and skills. Within a year this dedication (and the familiarity with interviews) paid off and I'd say they're going in better prepared than most to be good lawyers.If you know you'd enjoy the job, you should be prepared to commit time to getting there. If you really want an easy inroad, you're demonstrating your inappropriateness. Don't develop a sense of entitlement: law is (rightly) a competitive career.

Law enthusiast -29 Jan 2007 | 17:42

Speaking as a training principal, a lie on a CV, if discovered and whenever discovered, is fatal. I would not certify completion of a training contract for someone whom I discovered was dishonest. There are no 'white' lies on this occasion.

Simon Cockshutt -29 Jan 2007 | 17:43

I think people lie all the time on their CVs and application forms.I disagree with the training partner - there are white lies and major lies. I wouldn't advise you to put down that you did work experience at a City practice as this may be caught out. Likewise, don't ever lie about grades.But things like extra-curricular activities and perhaps embellishing what you have written about a past experience, I think, is a white lie and as long as you are able to cover your back and are smart then I guess it can do no harm.Would the training principal really not certify completion of a training contract if he found out that the trainee really didn't captain the football team at high school - I think not.But then again, no one really cares about extra-curricular activities when it comes to training contract applications. It's all about grades and solid commercial work experience.

Trainee2be -29 Jan 2007 | 19:55

Under no circumstances should you lie. Regardless of the (fairly draconian) consequences if you get caught, think long and hard about what you would be once qualified. Would you honour an undertaking once given? Being a lawyer isn't all that so don't sell your soul to get there.

Partner, commercial firm -30 Jan 2007 | 10:02

Not wanting to go back on my advice earlier, the candidate should obviously still push to get truthful experience but if it is a case of a little embellishment that can be explained confidently with recruiters then that is surely reasonable?At some point someone will remind you how the City (and law) is a small place and people will remember faces and names. Being at the start of my career I couldn't vouch for that but there must, like your CV, be some grain of truth in it!Practice your interview technique on parents of your friends who are demanding/high-flying/opinionated and that should prep you well for that final partner interview. Good luck.

City trainee -30 Jan 2007 | 10:36

I'm sorry, but how exactly are those 'white lies'? You are seeking to claim experience you do not actually have! Not only would it be morally odious, but you could get into trouble with the Law Society.

Trainee, magic circle firm -30 Jan 2007 | 10:58

There is a difference between lying and bringing out the strengths of your (actual) experience. The former is reprehensible dishonesty. The latter is accepted practice. Everyone presents themselves in the best possible light. Don't say you were president of some society when you weren't. If you were an active member however, say that and give examples of how you contributed.If you don't have anything to play up, maybe you need to invest some time and effort in accumulating the right experience, as someone else has already suggested. Or find another job.I cannot believe a grown person has to ask if it's all right to lie and be told that it's not!

Anonymous -30 Jan 2007 | 11:09

I think you need to draw a line between lying and embellishing. Saying you have done work experience you have not done is a lie and you should not put it down. Writing about work experience which lasted only a day or so and putting the date as September 05 (for example) is not a lie and leads to the impression that you have done more than you actually did. As long as you can then talk confidently about this at interview and if asked how long it was then respond truthfully, this (I believe) is fine.

Trainee, City firm -30 Jan 2007 | 12:27

I think its perfectly fine to tell a few white lies. Believe me, I have tried the honest route and it has got me nowhere, even with a wide range of legal experience under my belt.There is totally no harm in it but if you go too far then you could get in trouble, obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception. If you do get sussed then you can kiss your law career goodbye!Then again, that law firm in Oldham did take on a UK citizen convicted of involuntary manslaughter...I wonder how she disguised that on her CV!

Roaring Beast -30 Jan 2007 | 12:35

If you have to ask the question, you should not be in law. Good luck elsewhere.

In-house lawyer, big company -30 Jan 2007 | 13:07

All it would take is for HR at the interviewing firm to phone up the other firm and ask if you did work experience with them. If you're going to lie at least make it hard to trace.

Anonymous -30 Jan 2007 | 13:33

As a solicitor, if you lose your integrity, you have nothing left! Be persistent with your applications but don't lie!

Anonymous -30 Jan 2007 | 14:12

Its so frustrating knowing that you have invested so much time and money into studying only to get that rejection letter fall on your doorstep. Honesty seems to have got me nowhere either so sometimes maybe a little embellishment is the solution!

Still trying to get a training contract -30 Jan 2007 | 14:31

Put on your CV that you were "Time Magazine Person of the Year 2006". It will get their attention and you will not be lying - along with everyone else who uses the web.Don't lie.

In-house lawyer -30 Jan 2007 | 16:41

Good guys finish last! People who have achieved something in life do it with a lil' bit of dishonesty. If you want that job then, yeah, put it down on the CV - some volunteer work for the CABX or some other stuff is ok.Don't get left behind, join the race and play them dirty tricks!

Betty -31 Jan 2007 | 12:30

As an employment lawyer, one of the first things we do when looking to get rid of an employee is go through their CV and see whether we can expose any 'white' lies (often with the help of a private detective agency). Not only will it help an employer get rid of you, it will ensure that any reference can reflect the fact, which will ruin your career elsewhere as well.It's never worth lying on a CV!

Solicitor, top 10 firm -31 Jan 2007 | 15:57

The law is still, at least for some, a profession. If I discovered that a candidate for job had lied on their CV and I had employed them, their feet wouldn't touch the ground and they wouldn't qualify at this firm and, I hope, at no other. Don't do it.

Partner, City firm -31 Jan 2007 | 16:39

If you lie and get found out, your career will end fairly abruptly. The legal world is a fairly small place and reputations get around. And if you "embellish things" on your CV, chances are that you will get found out too and look rather foolish in interview; the interviewers aren't stupid, you know, and we were potential trainees ourselves once so know a few of the tricks!I agree with the person who said that you should concentrate on honing your skills and getting feedback. Keep applying - competition for training contracts is fierce but unless you keep trying, you'll never make it (obviously). I think it's a good sign that you have asked the question; I hope you come out with the right answer.

Partner, magic circle firm -31 Jan 2007 | 16:42

I am a trainee and it's been no easy ride. It took years of plain HARD work as a paralegal, perseverance plus luck that has got me my training contract. My advice is focus on your strengths when drafting your CV and where there are gaps/problems plug them up by getting some relevant experience. Most of all, don't lose heart.

Trainee -31 Jan 2007 | 18:48

Don't lie. You will always get found out eventually and will lose everything you ever worked for. This is still a PROFESSION!!

Partner, Leeds firm -31 Jan 2007 | 22:29

When I was still in private practice I was involved with trainee recruitment. We discovered during the course of our normal due diligence following offers being made that two applicants had lied on their applications (please note there are no "white lies" in this context). We immediately withdrew their training contracts. I've no idea what they are doing now but am fairly confident that they are not practising as solicitors. Don't do it.

Head of Legal -- European Bank -01 Feb 2007 | 17:35

As a recently qualified solicitor who has moved into the recruitment sector, I would stress that a white lie, however minor you may consider it to be, is definitely not worth even thinking about. I can fully appreciate how difficult it can be to attain a training contract. Vacation placements are an excellent way to gain experience. You may even wish to consider applying for mini-pupillages so that you can demonstrate at interview that you have considered the barrister route but, owing to first-hand experience, you have decided it is not for you.Trust and honesty and two absolutely fundamental attributes for a solicitor so there is never a case for a few white lies.

Adam Salkie, recruitment consultant -02 Feb 2007 | 11:26

Having dealt with lawyers for years - I find the pomposity and outbreak of moral high grounding on this tread odd. Lawyers, like most people, lie frequently during their professional lives. I've personally encountered lawyers lying on a pretty regular basis. I'm not condemning the profession, simply stating a fact.

anon -02 Feb 2007 | 14:14

If your common sense doesn't already tell you which is the right thing to do, the above messages will. Look at what the people who have been successful in the profession (and are senior) are saying and what the newbie law students are saying...

Anonymous -02 Feb 2007 | 14:23

Hmm, this is a toughie. The temptation to "exagerate" the truth is strong, particularly given the ridiculously competitive nature of training contracts and the apparently imcomprehensible reason why one person should be offered a training contract and another not. Saying that, all prosepctive trainees these days have great academics, are members of the student law society and have countless other attributes. Employers look for a wide range of skills, paralegal work, travelling and showing initiative are as likley to get you an interview as anything else. Try doing as many work placements as you can. Do some volunteer work with your local CAB or legal advice centre. Crucially, apply to lots of firms. If you're good, it will be noticed and a training contract will eventually follow. Whatever you do, have pride in your achievements and your merits. Don't be tempted to lie. As a lawyer you must have integrity (as cheesy as that sounds). Good luck!

Solicitor, Regional Firm -04 Feb 2007 | 17:15

You risk being found out, and damaging your career prospects considerably.

HR Consultant -05 Feb 2007 | 11:40

My God, if we could harness the power of the self righteousness of some of these people the country would be carbon neutral within the month. You don't owe anyone anything my friend, lie, lie, lie....just don't get caught.

A Lawyer -05 Feb 2007 | 11:52

It's a very risky thing to do. Of course there is every chance the firm at which you interview will check the authenticity of your claims through background checks and questioning. It's quite obvious when someone isn't telling the truth. You must realise that law is a very competitive profession. The reality is that there are a large number of excellent graduates from top 10 universities (including a significant number from Oxbridge) with top grades as well as superb work and life experience who do not need to insert any lies in their CVs. They rightly gain the top training contracts. Even those from more humble universities pick up training contracts because they set themselves apart from the rest. If you're a good candidate you'll end up with multiple offers. Fact. If, however, you have very little commercial work experience and few other assets which distinguish you from other candidates you will be scratching around for a training contract for a very long time. Get out and do something that will set you apart from the rest, but don't lie.

Anon -05 Feb 2007 | 17:34

The white lie route is doubly useless. No-one will swing you a job for being a society president. And the dishonesty will destroy you if uncovered.It sounds to me as if you are getting past the first hurdle but not acing the interview. In that case, it would be helpful to do some mocks and speak to some trainees/lawyers to get some advice.

Assistant, City firm -08 Feb 2007 | 14:13

You really cannot lie on your CV. I have just had to tell a firm that offered me a training contract that I got 4 of my GCSE grades wrong on my CV. And that was an honest mistake - just try to imagine that meeting with your training principal when he busts your lies. At that point will it really seem worth it. I know its a nightmare trying to find that elusive training contract. I've been looking for over a year now - you just got to keep at it - get as much practical experience as you can.

a prospective trainee solicitor -13 Jun 2007 | 08:54

I have been offered a training contract but realised that I made a mistake on 5 of my GCse's (nothing major - just thought I had A*s in the subjects when I had A's). Any one have any suggestions what I should do? At the time of the application I couldn't find my certificates and stated what i thought i got. I have since found out that i made the mistake. My A-Levels, and Uni results are all correct.Should I tell the firm before accepting the offer, or keep quiet?

- -09 Jul 2007 | 19:42

The law firm I have a training contract with requires a 2:1 degree. On my application form I told them that I got some 2:1s in subjects when I actually got 2:2s. My third-year results were much better and this year I am getting mostly Firsts - I will probably get a 2:1. Am I shafted?

Student -05 Mar 2008 | 11:19