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I had been working on this in a sandbox planning to adopt the TLP effort but only just realized it had actually been launched. Adding an image I found for it and cleaning up the wording of/expanding the description a bit. Adding a couple of other examples I found.
[[quoteright:500:[[Webcomic/SaturdayMorningBreakfastCereal https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/smbcresume.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:500:Sometimes the falsehoods even stretch the laws of physics.]]
[[caption-width-right:500:Sometimes the falsehoods even stretch the laws of physics.]]
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Everyone lies or exaggerates a little bit on their resume when seeking a new job. Some take it to new levels with outlandish claims of skills and experience that strain even being MetaphoricallyTrue or are just BlatantLies. Sometimes the character will have gotten someone else to forge their resume, resulting in them being just as surprised by its contents as everyone else who reads it. This can lead to a FawltyTowersPlot after the character is thrust into a position they're totally unqualified for, and their deception can be exposed if their employer or coworkers become suspicious and begin [[PullTheThread pulling the thread]] on their claims.
Very rarely in fiction are such claims subjected to background checks as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
Can often involve a PhonyDegree. PhonyVeteran is a related trope.
Very rarely in fiction are such claims subjected to background checks as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
Can often involve a PhonyDegree. PhonyVeteran is a related trope.
to:
Everyone lies or exaggerates at least a little bit on their resume when seeking a new job. Some take it to new levels with outlandish claims of skills and experience job, commonly putting down experiences that strain even being can be charitably described as MetaphoricallyTrue or at best. Then there are just BlatantLies. those who take it even further, putting outright BlatantLies if they think it will get them the job. Sometimes the character will have gotten someone else to forge their resume, resulting in them being just as surprised by its contents as everyone anyone else who reads it. it.
This can lead to a FawltyTowersPlot after the character is thrust into a position they're totally unqualified for, and their deception can be exposed if their employer or coworkers become suspicious and begin [[PullTheThread pulling the thread]] on their claims.
Very rarely in fiction are such claimssubjected to background checks checked as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But The more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
repercussions, such as if they practice law or medicine without the proper credentials.
Can often involve a PhonyDegree. They may try to pass off ADegreeInUseless or a WorthlessForeignDegree as something more valuable. PhonyVeteran is a relatedtrope.
trope for someone lying about being a veteran.
This can lead to a FawltyTowersPlot after the character is thrust into a position they're totally unqualified for, and their deception can be exposed if their employer or coworkers become suspicious and begin [[PullTheThread pulling the thread]] on their claims.
Very rarely in fiction are such claims
Can often involve a PhonyDegree. They may try to pass off ADegreeInUseless or a WorthlessForeignDegree as something more valuable. PhonyVeteran is a related
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* ''Film/PainHustlers'': Liza is a high school dropout who meets Pete, who offers to have her come interview for a sales job, while working as a stripper. She pads her resume, which Pete sees straight through... but he likes her and helps her pad it even more (claiming she has a [=PhD=] in Biochemistry to impress the company's founder). She actually turns out to be a great saleswoman and, when they need to expand the team, conduct a TerribleIntervieweesMontage where several of the candidates also pad their resumes (including one woman who claims to have a degree from a school that doesn't offer it as a major). They all get hired.
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[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Starfield}}'': To start the [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Ryujin Industries]] questline, you need to fill out a job application at one of their kiosks which asks basic questions about level of education and relevant job experience. You can claim to have a [=PhD=] with years of experience (or the exact opposite, limited education with no experience) and still land an interview. The interviewer will call you out on your ridiculous answers, but since the previous jobholder vanished and someone needs to make a coffee run, you'll still be HiredOnTheSpot.
[[/folder]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Starfield}}'': To start the [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Ryujin Industries]] questline, you need to fill out a job application at one of their kiosks which asks basic questions about level of education and relevant job experience. You can claim to have a [=PhD=] with years of experience (or the exact opposite, limited education with no experience) and still land an interview. The interviewer will call you out on your ridiculous answers, but since the previous jobholder vanished and someone needs to make a coffee run, you'll still be HiredOnTheSpot.
[[/folder]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'': Billy Quizboy, who actually is a very talented surgeon but never got to pursue it due to an incident in his youth with the [[GovernmentAgencyOfFiction O.S.I.]] resulting in a memory wipe, is revealed to have been working in a hospital as "Dr. Phil Donahue" who got his medical degree from Johns Hopkins. When the hospital wants to promote him for his great work, they check into his background and cannot find any record of him attending Johns Hopkins. He panics, claims that "John Hopkins" was his professor at Stanford, and then runs away.
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** In "[[Recap/FriendsS5E11TheOneWithAllTheResolutions The One With All The Resolutions]]" he declares that his goal for the New Year is to learn how to play a guitar so that at least one of the "skills" on his resume will actually be ''true''.
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** "[[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench The One Where Joey Speaks French]]": Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French because he listed French fluency on his resume despite not knowing any of the language.
to:
** "[[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench The One Where Joey Speaks French]]": Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French because he listed French fluency on his resume despite not knowing any of the language. During the end credits Phoebe decides she's had enough of this, and starts crossing off everything that he's been lying about.
--->'''Phoebe:''' Okay, can you really tapdance?\\
'''Joey:''' No.\\
'''Phoebe:''' It's off the resumé. [''she strikes it through with a pencil'']\\
'''Phoebe:''' Archery?\\
'''Joey:''' No.\\
'''Phoebe:''' [[ContinuityNod Horseback riding?]]\\
'''Joey:''' Would fall off a lot.
--->'''Phoebe:''' Okay, can you really tapdance?\\
'''Joey:''' No.\\
'''Phoebe:''' It's off the resumé. [''she strikes it through with a pencil'']\\
'''Phoebe:''' Archery?\\
'''Joey:''' No.\\
'''Phoebe:''' [[ContinuityNod Horseback riding?]]\\
'''Joey:''' Would fall off a lot.
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Spelling/grammar fix(es)
Changed line(s) 48,49 (click to see context) from:
** [[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy Episode 3.12 "The One With All the Jealousy"]]: Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]]
** [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross and Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a HistoricalFiction movie that requires specifically uncircumcised MaleFrontalNudity. Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. It's a mostly JustifiedTrope because they go through the whole audition process ''first'', tell him he's perfect for the role and they want to hire him -- and then, at the last minute, spring the uncircumcised requirement on him. Under those circumstances, Joey lies. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, which doesn't go over well.
** [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross and Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a HistoricalFiction movie that requires specifically uncircumcised MaleFrontalNudity. Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. It's a mostly JustifiedTrope because they go through the whole audition process ''first'', tell him he's perfect for the role and they want to hire him -- and then, at the last minute, spring the uncircumcised requirement on him. Under those circumstances, Joey lies. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, which doesn't go over well.
to:
** [[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy Episode 3.12 "The "[[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy The One With All the Jealousy"]]: Jealousy]]": Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]]
**[[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The "[[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin The One With Ross and Monica's Cousin"]]: Cousin]]": Joey gets a role in a HistoricalFiction movie that requires specifically uncircumcised MaleFrontalNudity. Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. It's a mostly JustifiedTrope because they go through the whole audition process ''first'', tell him he's perfect for the role and they want to hire him -- and then, at the last minute, spring the uncircumcised requirement on him. Under those circumstances, Joey lies. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, which doesn't go over well.
**
Changed line(s) 53 (click to see context) from:
** [[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench Episode 10.13 "The One Where Joey Speaks French"]]: Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French, because he listed French fluency on his resume despite not knowing any of the language.
to:
** [[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench Episode 10.13 "The "[[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench The One Where Joey Speaks French"]]: French]]": Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French, French because he listed French fluency on his resume despite not knowing any of the language.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sixteen}}'': In the episode "The Five-Finger Discount," Jonesy's latest job is at an electronic store called "The Beep," and he only got it because he put a lot of fake things on his resume. Such as:
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sixteen}}'': In the episode "The Five-Finger Discount," Jonesy's latest job is at an electronic store called "The Beep," and he only got it because he had put a lot of fake things on his resume. Such as:
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* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru has to present a resume of his past jobs to prove to Miss Hattie [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that he’s a respectable man]]. Apparently, said resume says he’s a dentist, he used to be a celebrity chef, won the Medal of Honor, was knighted, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking can hold his breath for 30 seconds]].
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru has to present a resume of his past jobs to prove to Miss Hattie [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that he’s a respectable man]]. Apparently, said resume says he’s a dentist, he used to be a celebrity chef, won the Medal of Honor, was knighted, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking can hold his breath for 30 seconds]]. Even worse is that the Minions are actively altering his details to the above while Miss Hattie is reading it.
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* This is the premise of ''Film/DontTellMomTheBabysittersDead'', where Sue Ellen, who's ReallySeventeenYearsOld, applies for a job as a receptionist using a resume she copies from a guidebook, stating she's a Vassar-educated fashion designer, and is instead offered a job as an executive assistant.
to:
* This is the premise of ''Film/DontTellMomTheBabysittersDead'', where Sue Ellen, who's ReallySeventeenYearsOld, Really17YearsOld, applies for a job as a receptionist using a resume she copies from a guidebook, stating she's a Vassar-educated fashion designer, and is instead offered a job as an executive assistant.
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Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
** [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a historical fiction movie that requires specifically uncircumcised MaleFrontalNudity. Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, and it doesn't go over well.
to:
** [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross And and Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a historical fiction HistoricalFiction movie that requires specifically uncircumcised MaleFrontalNudity. Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. It's a mostly JustifiedTrope because they go through the whole audition process ''first'', tell him he's perfect for the role and they want to hire him -- and then, at the last minute, spring the uncircumcised requirement on him. Under those circumstances, Joey lies. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, and it which doesn't go over well.
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Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
** [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a historical fiction movie that requires MaleFrontalNudity. Historically, his character would be intact, and so Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, and it doesn't go over well.
to:
** [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a historical fiction movie that requires specifically uncircumcised MaleFrontalNudity. Historically, his character would be intact, and so Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised. He tries to create a DIY fake foreskin, and it doesn't go over well.well.
--->'''Monica:''' What were you thinking?\\
'''Joey:''' I don't know! I really want this part! Y'know, and they tell you, no matter what you get asked at an audition, you say yes. Like if they want you to ride a horse, you tell 'em you can! And just figure out how to do it later.\\
'''Monica:''' Joey! This is not like learning to ride a horse! This is like learning to…grow a turtleneck!
--->'''Monica:''' What were you thinking?\\
'''Joey:''' I don't know! I really want this part! Y'know, and they tell you, no matter what you get asked at an audition, you say yes. Like if they want you to ride a horse, you tell 'em you can! And just figure out how to do it later.\\
'''Monica:''' Joey! This is not like learning to ride a horse! This is like learning to…grow a turtleneck!
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-->-- ''Series/{{Friends}}'', "[[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy The One With All The Jealousy]]"
to:
-->-- ''Series/{{Friends}}'', "[[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy The [[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy "The One With All The Jealousy]]"
the Jealousy"]]
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** Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well]].
** A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them.
** He also once untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised for a film with a nude scene where historically the character would be intact.
** A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them.
** He also once untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised for a film with a nude scene where historically the character would be intact.
to:
** [[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy Episode 3.12 "The One With All the Jealousy"]]: Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well]].
well.]]
**A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, [[Recap/FriendsS7E19TheOneWithRossAndMonicasCousin Episode 7.19 "The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin"]]: Joey gets a role in a historical fiction movie that requires MaleFrontalNudity. Historically, his character would be intact, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them.
** He also onceso Joey untruthfully claimed to be uncircumcised for uncircumcised. He tries to create a film with a nude scene where historically DIY fake foreskin, and it doesn't go over well.
** [[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench Episode 10.13 "The One Where Joey Speaks French"]]: Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French, because he listed French fluency on his resume despite not knowing any of thecharacter would be intact.language.
**
** He also once
** [[Recap/FriendsS10E13TheOneWhereJoeySpeaksFrench Episode 10.13 "The One Where Joey Speaks French"]]: Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French, because he listed French fluency on his resume despite not knowing any of the
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putting examples in alphabetical order
* ''Series/TheOfficeUS'': In "[[Recap/TheOfficeUSS9E13JuniorSalesman Junior Salesman]]", Dwight is tasked with finding a part-time salesperson to help fill in for Jim. Naturally, he invites and interviews his bizarre group of friends and relatives, including his cousin Mose, who he lives with. Mose, a farmhand with an ambiguous social disorder, claims in his resume that he "spent 15 years as a sales rep for DOW Chemical". Dwight immediately calls him out on it, causing Mose to flee the office.
Deleted line(s) 55 (click to see context) :
* ''Series/TheOfficeUS'': In "[[Recap/TheOfficeUSS9E13JuniorSalesman Junior Salesman]]", Dwight is tasked with finding a part-time salesperson to help fill in for Jim. Naturally, he invites and interviews his bizarre group of friends and relatives, including his cousin Mose, who he lives with. Mose, a farmhand with an ambiguous social disorder, claims in his resume that he "spent 15 years as a sales rep for DOW Chemical". Dwight immediately calls him out on it, causing Mose to flee the office.
Changed line(s) 71 (click to see context) from:
* ''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You", Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortunately, that would mean a potential separation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
to:
* ''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You", Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortunately, that would mean a potential separation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":"resume"...
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-->''Smithers'': Marge, please. According to your resume, you invented this machine.
to:
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-->''Smithers'': Marge, please. According to your resume, you invented this machine.
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Changed line(s) 47 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]] A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them. He also once untruthfully claimed to be uncircumsized for a film with a nude scene where historically the character would be intact.
to:
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey's resume is often subjected to this.
** Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't gowell.]] well]].
** A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any ofthem. them.
** He also once untruthfully claimed to beuncircumsized uncircumcised for a film with a nude scene where historically the character would be intact.
** Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go
** A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of
** He also once untruthfully claimed to be
Changed line(s) 68 (click to see context) from:
* ''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You " Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortunately, that would mean a potential seperation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own one. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
to:
* ''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You " You", Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortunately, that would mean a potential seperation separation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own one.own. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
Changed line(s) 71 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my leg?]]
to:
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my leg?]]
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Changed line(s) 68 (click to see context) from:
* ''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You " Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortuantely, that would mean a potential seperation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own one. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
to:
* ''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You " Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortuantely, Unfortunately, that would mean a potential seperation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own one. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
Changed line(s) 70 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
to:
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
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Changed line(s) 69,73 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' So you got your degree from ({{beat}}) ''({{beat}})'' Poopy Pants University?!
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and Superman?
''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my leg?
leg?]]
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and Superman?
''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my leg?
leg?]]
to:
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' So you got your degree from ({{beat}}) ''({{beat}})'' Poopy Pants University?!
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] andSuperman?
''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling myleg?
leg?]]
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my
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[[folder:Web Videos]]
*''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You " Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortuantely, that would mean a potential seperation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own one. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' So you got your degree from ({{beat}}) ''({{beat}})'' Poopy Pants University?!
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and Superman?
''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my leg?
leg?]]
[[/folder]]
*''WebVideo/DharMann'': In "KIDS RUIN Mom's JOB INTERVIEW, What Happens Will Shock You " Mikey's mom is gearing up for a job interview at Dr. Andrews' office. Unfortuantely, that would mean a potential seperation between her son and her best friend, so they decide to sabotage the interview by swapping out her official resume with their own one. So when Dr. Andrews reads her "resume":
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' So you got your degree from ({{beat}}) ''({{beat}})'' Poopy Pants University?!
-->'''Dr. Andrews:''' And for 20 years, you were a nurse in space? Your references are Chewbacca [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]] and Superman?
''Franchise/{{Superman}}''?
-->'''Mikey's Mom:''' ''(laughs nervously)'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe Are... are you pulling my leg?
leg?]]
[[/folder]]
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Alphabetizing example(s)
* ''Series/TwoPintsOfLagerAndAPacketOfCrisps'': In the episode ''"Cuggles"'', Louise attempts to apply for a job as a head of finances, but her resume is so blatantly false the work couch sees right through it.
Deleted line(s) 52 (click to see context) :
* ''Series/TwoPintsOfLagerAndAPacketOfCrisps'': In the episode ''"Cuggles"'', Louise attempts to apply for a job as a head of finances, but her resume is so blatantly false the work couch sees right through it.
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* ''Series/TwoPintsOfLagerAndAPacketOfCrisps'': In the episode ''"Cuggles"'', Louise attempts to apply for a job as a head of finances, but her resume is so blatantly false the work couch sees right through it.
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[[folder:Podcasts]]
* ''Podcast/TheMagnusArchives'': Martin Blackwood got his position at the titular paranormal research institute in part by claiming to have a master's degree in parapsychology. Despite this, he does well at the Institute because of his outside-the-box tactics and [[CrazyPrepared careful preparations]], and his talent for manipulation becomes a ChekhovsSkill later.
[[/folder]]
* ''Podcast/TheMagnusArchives'': Martin Blackwood got his position at the titular paranormal research institute in part by claiming to have a master's degree in parapsychology. Despite this, he does well at the Institute because of his outside-the-box tactics and [[CrazyPrepared careful preparations]], and his talent for manipulation becomes a ChekhovsSkill later.
[[/folder]]
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Changed line(s) 47 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]] A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them.
to:
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]] A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them. He also once untruthfully claimed to be uncircumsized for a film with a nude scene where historically the character would be intact.
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* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': Gilderoy Lockhart lands a position at Hogwarts as a professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, based on his claimed extensive experience fighting against evil spirits and creatures. In reality, he was using a charm to erase the memory of others' exploits, and claiming them as his own.
to:
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': Gilderoy Lockhart lands a position at Hogwarts as a professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, based on his claimed extensive experience fighting against evil spirits and creatures. In reality, he was using a charm to erase the memory of others' exploits, and claiming them as his own. It's strongly implied that Dumbledore knows or at least greatly suspects Lockhart's fraudulent nature, but had to take him anyway because he couldn't find anyone else to take the job, due to the (correct) rumors about the position having been cursed by Voldemort.
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** He was Volkswagen salesman of the year.
** He was chairman of the "Save the Lobster" campaign.
** He was chairman of the "Save the Lobster" campaign.
to:
** He was Volkswagen salesman of the year.
year
** He was chairman of the "Save the Lobster"campaign.campaign
** He was chairman of the "Save the Lobster"
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sixteen}}'': In the episode "The Five-Finger Discount," Jonesy's latest job is at an electronic store called "The Beep," and he only got it because he put a lot of fake things on his resume. Such as:
** He was Volkswagen salesman of the year.
** He was chairman of the "Save the Lobster" campaign.
** He's a skydiving champion
** He speaks fluent German
** He studied advanced electronics
** He was Volkswagen salesman of the year.
** He was chairman of the "Save the Lobster" campaign.
** He's a skydiving champion
** He speaks fluent German
** He studied advanced electronics
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* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru has to present a resume of his past jobs to prove to Miss Hattie [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that he’s a respectable man]]. Apparently, said resume says he used to be a celebrity chef, won the Medal of Honor, was knighted, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking can hold his breath for 3 straight minutes]].
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru has to present a resume of his past jobs to prove to Miss Hattie [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that he’s a respectable man]]. Apparently, said resume says he’s a dentist, he used to be a celebrity chef, won the Medal of Honor, was knighted, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking can hold his breath for 3 straight minutes]].30 seconds]].
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[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru has to present a resume of his past jobs to prove to Miss Hattie [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that he’s a respectable man]]. Apparently, said resume says he used to be a celebrity chef, won the Medal of Honor, was knighted, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking can hold his breath for 3 straight minutes]].
[[/folder]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru has to present a resume of his past jobs to prove to Miss Hattie [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that he’s a respectable man]]. Apparently, said resume says he used to be a celebrity chef, won the Medal of Honor, was knighted, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking can hold his breath for 3 straight minutes]].
[[/folder]]
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->'''Chandler:''' ''[reading Joey's resume]'' ...three years of modern dance with Twyla Tharp?! Five years with the American Ballet Theater?!
->'''Joey:''' Hey, everybody lies on their resume, okay? I wasn't one of the Series/{{Zoom}} kids either.
->'''Joey:''' Hey, everybody lies on their resume, okay? I wasn't one of the Series/{{Zoom}} kids either.
to:
%%
%%
%% The examples have been alphabetized. Please put any new example in its proper place in the folder rather than at the end.
%%
%%
->'''Chandler:''' ''[reading Joey's resume]'' ...three years of modern dance with Twyla Tharp?! Five years with the American BalletTheater?!
->'''Joey:'''Theater?!\\
'''Joey:''' Hey, everybody lies on their resume, okay? I wasn't one of theSeries/{{Zoom}} ''Series/{{Zoom}}'' kids either.
%%
%% The examples have been alphabetized. Please put any new example in its proper place in the folder rather than at the end.
%%
%%
->'''Chandler:''' ''[reading Joey's resume]'' ...three years of modern dance with Twyla Tharp?! Five years with the American Ballet
->'''Joey:'''
'''Joey:''' Hey, everybody lies on their resume, okay? I wasn't one of the
Changed line(s) 56 (click to see context) from:
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E7MargeGetsAJob Marge Gets A Job]]", Marge decides to apply for a job at the nuclear plant, but the only experience she has to list on her resume is "homemaker". Lisa helps her pad it with work experience like "chauffeur", "seamstress", "worked for the Carter administration" (she voted for him twice), and "curator of large animals" (cue a bulging, hairy Homer). References to her resume become a running gag throughout the episode, which also included claims of being fluent in Swahili, writing a Music/MuddyWaters song, and inventing a nuclear reactor.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E7MargeGetsAJob Marge Gets A a Job]]", Marge decides to apply for a job at the nuclear plant, but the only experience she has to list on her resume is "homemaker". Lisa helps her pad it with work experience like "chauffeur", "seamstress", "worked for the Carter administration" (she voted for him twice), and "curator of large animals" (cue a bulging, hairy Homer). References to her resume become a running gag throughout the episode, which also included claims of being fluent in Swahili, writing a Music/MuddyWaters song, and inventing a nuclear reactor.
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[[folder:Comics]]
* ''WebComic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?
-->'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* ''WebComic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?
-->'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
to:
* ''WebComic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?
-->'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
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* ''Film/Parasite2019'': The entire Kim family does this to gain employment with the Parks. Ki-jung is the most egregious, claiming to be an American-educated art therapist and psychoanalyst.
to:
* ''Film/Parasite2019'': ''Film/{{Parasite|2019}}'': The entire Kim family does this to gain employment with the Parks. Ki-jung is the most egregious, claiming to be an American-educated art therapist and psychoanalyst.
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[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?\\
'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[/folder]]
* ''Webcomic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?\\
'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[/folder]]
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->'''Chandler:''' ''(reading Joey's resume)'' ...three years of modern dance with Twyla Tharp?! Five years with the American Ballet Theater?!
to:
->'''Chandler:''' ''(reading ''[reading Joey's resume)'' ...resume]'' ...three years of modern dance with Twyla Tharp?! Five years with the American Ballet Theater?!
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Film/{{Big}}'', protagonist Josh Baskin [[OvernightAgeUp has been turned from a 12-year-old into an adult]], and only his best friend Billy knows/believes him. Whilst trying to get a job in order to survive, Billy helps Josh fill in an application form and suggests he put down "Neighborhood Circulation Director" in the previous employment section - what this actually refers to is Josh's paper route.
to:
* In ''Film/{{Big}}'', protagonist Josh Baskin [[OvernightAgeUp has been turned from a 12-year-old into an adult]], and only his best friend Billy knows/believes him. Whilst trying to get a job in order to survive, Billy helps Josh fill in an application form and suggests he put down "Neighborhood Circulation Director" in the previous employment section - what section—what this actually refers to is Josh's paper route.
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Changed line(s) 7,8 (click to see context) from:
Very rarely in fiction are such claims background checked as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
to:
Very rarely in fiction are such claims subjected to background checked checks as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
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[[AC:Comics]]
to:
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[[AC:Film]]
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[[folder:Film]]
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* ''Film/JackOfTheRedHearts'': Jack managed to scam her way into getting a job in the Adams household and becoming Glory's caretaker, thanks to a resume consisting of forged background and falsified records.
to:
* ''Film/JackOfTheRedHearts'': Jack managed to scam her way into getting a job in the Adams household and becoming Glory's caretaker, thanks to a resume consisting of a forged background and falsified records.
Changed line(s) 32,33 (click to see context) from:
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
to:
[[folder:Literature]]
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[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
to:
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AaronStone'': Whilst attempting to help get his brother Charlie a job at a local comic books store, [[AnnoyingYoungerSibling Jason]] heavily doctors Charlie's resume to claim amongst other things he has a Harvard Law Degree. Due to circumstances, Jason is forced to impersonate Charlie for the interview, where the manager effortlessly sees through the deception, but still gives him the job.
Changed line(s) 45,46 (click to see context) from:
[[AC:Western Animation]]
to:
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
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[[/folder]]
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Created from YKTTW
Added DiffLines:
->'''Chandler:''' ''(reading Joey's resume)'' ...three years of modern dance with Twyla Tharp?! Five years with the American Ballet Theater?!
->'''Joey:''' Hey, everybody lies on their resume, okay? I wasn't one of the Series/{{Zoom}} kids either.
-->-- ''Series/{{Friends}}'', "[[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy The One With All The Jealousy]]"
Everyone lies or exaggerates a little bit on their resume when seeking a new job. Some take it to new levels with outlandish claims of skills and experience that strain even being MetaphoricallyTrue or are just BlatantLies. Sometimes the character will have gotten someone else to forge their resume, resulting in them being just as surprised by its contents as everyone else who reads it. This can lead to a FawltyTowersPlot after the character is thrust into a position they're totally unqualified for, and their deception can be exposed if their employer or coworkers become suspicious and begin [[PullTheThread pulling the thread]] on their claims.
Very rarely in fiction are such claims background checked as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
Can often involve a PhonyDegree. PhonyVeteran is a related trope.
Even though TruthInTelevision may apply (admit it, you've padded your resume), '''Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease'''
----
!!Examples:
[[AC:Comics]]
* ''WebComic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?
-->'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[AC:Film]]
* In ''Film/{{Big}}'', protagonist Josh Baskin [[OvernightAgeUp has been turned from a 12-year-old into an adult]], and only his best friend Billy knows/believes him. Whilst trying to get a job in order to survive, Billy helps Josh fill in an application form and suggests he put down "Neighborhood Circulation Director" in the previous employment section - what this actually refers to is Josh's paper route.
* ''Film/ConfessionsOfAShopaholic'': Rebecca spices up her resume by claiming she's fluent in Finnish. Things get awkward when she gets the job and later finds herself conversing with a Finnish man.
* ''Film/CorkyRomano'': The idiotic WhiteSheep of a crime family infiltrates the FBI with a ludicrously inflated resume, all of which get him sent to extremely dangerous assignments because his profile indicates he's good at them, like translating between two crimelords speaking different languages via AsLongAsItSoundsForeign and accidentally insulting them into attacking each other.
* This is the premise of ''Film/DontTellMomTheBabysittersDead'', where Sue Ellen, who's ReallySeventeenYearsOld, applies for a job as a receptionist using a resume she copies from a guidebook, stating she's a Vassar-educated fashion designer, and is instead offered a job as an executive assistant.
* ''Film/JackOfTheRedHearts'': Jack managed to scam her way into getting a job in the Adams household and becoming Glory's caretaker, thanks to a resume consisting of forged background and falsified records.
* ''Film/MrsDoubtfire'': Daniel poses as an elderly, matronly Scottish woman with decades of experience as a housekeeper and nanny. Cooking proves to be the most difficult task and he has to resort to passing off LastResortTakeout after an attempt to cook dinner goes terribly wrong.
* ''Film/Parasite2019'': The entire Kim family does this to gain employment with the Parks. Ki-jung is the most egregious, claiming to be an American-educated art therapist and psychoanalyst.
* ''Film/SecondAct'': Maya, an assistant manager at a big box store, lands a job as an executive consultant with a large retailer after a friend's son, without her knowledge, creates a fake resume and social media profile claiming she's an accomplished Harvard-educated businesswoman, chummy with the Obamas, rowed crew, speaks Mandarin, and did a stint in the Peace Corps.
* ''Film/SorryToBotherYou'': Cassius comes to a telemarketer interview with fake plaques and trophies allegedly from a prior job. The employer he's interviewing with catches his deception but fortunately for him, the employer has such low standards that he doesn't even care and hires Cassius anyway.
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* ''Literature/EastOfEden'': Cyrus Trask fought in one battle during the UsefulNotes/AmericanCivilWar and lost a leg, and was discharged shortly thereafter. He lies his way into a powerful position in the Army administration and a huge wealth by passing himself as a war hero, claiming he's had a long military career, fought in every battle of the war, and served as a personal advisor to President Lincoln.
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': Gilderoy Lockhart lands a position at Hogwarts as a professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, based on his claimed extensive experience fighting against evil spirits and creatures. In reality, he was using a charm to erase the memory of others' exploits, and claiming them as his own.
[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AustinAndAlly'': Trish admits in one episode she constantly does this, hence why she's constantly able to get new jobs despite her lack of competence or work ethic, and [[RunningGag gets fired every episode]], to the point of once working as a lifeguard despite not knowing how to swim. She convinces Austin to do this to make his profile seem more interesting for an upcoming magazine article, claiming amongst other things he's a master of kung fu. It backfires when the impressed reporter turns up and wants to see this.
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]] A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them.
* In the pilot of ''Series/TheITCrowd'', Jen blatantly lies her ass off about her credentials in order to get a job at Reynholm Industries, resulting in her being made the head of the IT department, despite not understanding anything about computers. A later episode sees her lie about being able to speak Italian so that she can get promoted, forcing Moss to develop a translation program so that she can maintain the illusion.
* In ''Series/TheKingOfQueens'', Arthur Spooner corners his son-in-law Doug Heffernan over the breakfast table, demanding Doug review his CV. Arthur then reads a list of escalating lies and bizarre claims, including having been a Hollywood child star. Doug replies, poker-faced, that it might look more credible if Arthur had not written it in crayon.
* ''Series/{{Mom}}'': Bonnie tells Jodi that the only reason she has her job as a building manager is because her boss thinks she was an engineer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
* ''Series/TheOfficeUS'': In "[[Recap/TheOfficeUSS9E13JuniorSalesman Junior Salesman]]", Dwight is tasked with finding a part-time salesperson to help fill in for Jim. Naturally, he invites and interviews his bizarre group of friends and relatives, including his cousin Mose, who he lives with. Mose, a farmhand with an ambiguous social disorder, claims in his resume that he "spent 15 years as a sales rep for DOW Chemical". Dwight immediately calls him out on it, causing Mose to flee the office.
* ''Series/{{Victorious}}'': The episode "Beck Falls for Tori" has Tori getting an audition for a part in a movie. Her friends look at her resume and find it underwhelming. They suggest she pad it out with special skills, such as being trained in martial arts. While Tori doesn't get the part, she is offered a job as a stunt double, as the producers think she's more than qualified.
[[AC:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'': "[[Recap/TheAmazingWorldOfGumballS3E11TheFraud The Fraud]]" is about Gumball and Darwin discovering that Principal Brown's diploma was fake. When he eventually admits to the teachers about it, it turns out that all of them lied on their résumés so that they could get the job. For instance, Miss Simian lied about her age and Mr. Small is not even a U.S. citizen. [[LadyLooksLikeADude Coach Russo]] then says, "And I am not a woman..." ({{Beat}}, everyone stares at her) "...who can say she's never lied on her résumé either."
* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'': Hank interviews several people for a position at Strickland Propane, one of them being Dale, someone he's known his entire life, and can tell his resume (written on binder paper) is this when he claims he's worked for the (nonexistent) "Gribble and Son Propane", operating out of Yuma, Arizona, since 1984.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E7MargeGetsAJob Marge Gets A Job]]", Marge decides to apply for a job at the nuclear plant, but the only experience she has to list on her resume is "homemaker". Lisa helps her pad it with work experience like "chauffeur", "seamstress", "worked for the Carter administration" (she voted for him twice), and "curator of large animals" (cue a bulging, hairy Homer). References to her resume become a running gag throughout the episode, which also included claims of being fluent in Swahili, writing a Music/MuddyWaters song, and inventing a nuclear reactor.
----
->'''Joey:''' Hey, everybody lies on their resume, okay? I wasn't one of the Series/{{Zoom}} kids either.
-->-- ''Series/{{Friends}}'', "[[Recap/FriendsS3E12TheOneWithAllTheJealousy The One With All The Jealousy]]"
Everyone lies or exaggerates a little bit on their resume when seeking a new job. Some take it to new levels with outlandish claims of skills and experience that strain even being MetaphoricallyTrue or are just BlatantLies. Sometimes the character will have gotten someone else to forge their resume, resulting in them being just as surprised by its contents as everyone else who reads it. This can lead to a FawltyTowersPlot after the character is thrust into a position they're totally unqualified for, and their deception can be exposed if their employer or coworkers become suspicious and begin [[PullTheThread pulling the thread]] on their claims.
Very rarely in fiction are such claims background checked as they would be in real life. At most, it leads to the character not getting the job or (if hired) being fired. But more extreme cases can lead to the character facing legal repercussions.
Can often involve a PhonyDegree. PhonyVeteran is a related trope.
Even though TruthInTelevision may apply (admit it, you've padded your resume), '''Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease'''
----
!!Examples:
[[AC:Comics]]
* ''WebComic/UnwindersTallComics:'' During a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180510174323/http://tallcomics.com:80/comic?sort=135 practice job interview]], Unwinder claims to be the co-creator of Website/{{FaceBook}}.
-->'''Felicity:''' Mmm hmm. And if I call him, is he going to verify that?
-->'''Unwinder:''' [[ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverstory Go ahead and try. Try to call Mark Zuckerburg.]]
[[AC:Film]]
* In ''Film/{{Big}}'', protagonist Josh Baskin [[OvernightAgeUp has been turned from a 12-year-old into an adult]], and only his best friend Billy knows/believes him. Whilst trying to get a job in order to survive, Billy helps Josh fill in an application form and suggests he put down "Neighborhood Circulation Director" in the previous employment section - what this actually refers to is Josh's paper route.
* ''Film/ConfessionsOfAShopaholic'': Rebecca spices up her resume by claiming she's fluent in Finnish. Things get awkward when she gets the job and later finds herself conversing with a Finnish man.
* ''Film/CorkyRomano'': The idiotic WhiteSheep of a crime family infiltrates the FBI with a ludicrously inflated resume, all of which get him sent to extremely dangerous assignments because his profile indicates he's good at them, like translating between two crimelords speaking different languages via AsLongAsItSoundsForeign and accidentally insulting them into attacking each other.
* This is the premise of ''Film/DontTellMomTheBabysittersDead'', where Sue Ellen, who's ReallySeventeenYearsOld, applies for a job as a receptionist using a resume she copies from a guidebook, stating she's a Vassar-educated fashion designer, and is instead offered a job as an executive assistant.
* ''Film/JackOfTheRedHearts'': Jack managed to scam her way into getting a job in the Adams household and becoming Glory's caretaker, thanks to a resume consisting of forged background and falsified records.
* ''Film/MrsDoubtfire'': Daniel poses as an elderly, matronly Scottish woman with decades of experience as a housekeeper and nanny. Cooking proves to be the most difficult task and he has to resort to passing off LastResortTakeout after an attempt to cook dinner goes terribly wrong.
* ''Film/Parasite2019'': The entire Kim family does this to gain employment with the Parks. Ki-jung is the most egregious, claiming to be an American-educated art therapist and psychoanalyst.
* ''Film/SecondAct'': Maya, an assistant manager at a big box store, lands a job as an executive consultant with a large retailer after a friend's son, without her knowledge, creates a fake resume and social media profile claiming she's an accomplished Harvard-educated businesswoman, chummy with the Obamas, rowed crew, speaks Mandarin, and did a stint in the Peace Corps.
* ''Film/SorryToBotherYou'': Cassius comes to a telemarketer interview with fake plaques and trophies allegedly from a prior job. The employer he's interviewing with catches his deception but fortunately for him, the employer has such low standards that he doesn't even care and hires Cassius anyway.
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* ''Literature/EastOfEden'': Cyrus Trask fought in one battle during the UsefulNotes/AmericanCivilWar and lost a leg, and was discharged shortly thereafter. He lies his way into a powerful position in the Army administration and a huge wealth by passing himself as a war hero, claiming he's had a long military career, fought in every battle of the war, and served as a personal advisor to President Lincoln.
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': Gilderoy Lockhart lands a position at Hogwarts as a professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, based on his claimed extensive experience fighting against evil spirits and creatures. In reality, he was using a charm to erase the memory of others' exploits, and claiming them as his own.
[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AustinAndAlly'': Trish admits in one episode she constantly does this, hence why she's constantly able to get new jobs despite her lack of competence or work ethic, and [[RunningGag gets fired every episode]], to the point of once working as a lifeguard despite not knowing how to swim. She convinces Austin to do this to make his profile seem more interesting for an upcoming magazine article, claiming amongst other things he's a master of kung fu. It backfires when the impressed reporter turns up and wants to see this.
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey lands a part in a Broadway musical after claiming on his resume he has years of experience in dance, trained with Twyla Tharp, and was one of the kids on ''Series/{{Zoom}}''. He actually can't dance at all. This backfires even more when the director asks Joey to lead the rest of the cast in rehearsing a dance number in his absence. [[https://youtu.be/01L3T2cBCBo?feature=shared&t=148 It doesn't go well.]] A later episode reveals he also lists French fluency, tap-dancing, archery, and horseback riding as skills, despite having no experience in any of them.
* In the pilot of ''Series/TheITCrowd'', Jen blatantly lies her ass off about her credentials in order to get a job at Reynholm Industries, resulting in her being made the head of the IT department, despite not understanding anything about computers. A later episode sees her lie about being able to speak Italian so that she can get promoted, forcing Moss to develop a translation program so that she can maintain the illusion.
* In ''Series/TheKingOfQueens'', Arthur Spooner corners his son-in-law Doug Heffernan over the breakfast table, demanding Doug review his CV. Arthur then reads a list of escalating lies and bizarre claims, including having been a Hollywood child star. Doug replies, poker-faced, that it might look more credible if Arthur had not written it in crayon.
* ''Series/{{Mom}}'': Bonnie tells Jodi that the only reason she has her job as a building manager is because her boss thinks she was an engineer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
* ''Series/TheOfficeUS'': In "[[Recap/TheOfficeUSS9E13JuniorSalesman Junior Salesman]]", Dwight is tasked with finding a part-time salesperson to help fill in for Jim. Naturally, he invites and interviews his bizarre group of friends and relatives, including his cousin Mose, who he lives with. Mose, a farmhand with an ambiguous social disorder, claims in his resume that he "spent 15 years as a sales rep for DOW Chemical". Dwight immediately calls him out on it, causing Mose to flee the office.
* ''Series/{{Victorious}}'': The episode "Beck Falls for Tori" has Tori getting an audition for a part in a movie. Her friends look at her resume and find it underwhelming. They suggest she pad it out with special skills, such as being trained in martial arts. While Tori doesn't get the part, she is offered a job as a stunt double, as the producers think she's more than qualified.
[[AC:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'': "[[Recap/TheAmazingWorldOfGumballS3E11TheFraud The Fraud]]" is about Gumball and Darwin discovering that Principal Brown's diploma was fake. When he eventually admits to the teachers about it, it turns out that all of them lied on their résumés so that they could get the job. For instance, Miss Simian lied about her age and Mr. Small is not even a U.S. citizen. [[LadyLooksLikeADude Coach Russo]] then says, "And I am not a woman..." ({{Beat}}, everyone stares at her) "...who can say she's never lied on her résumé either."
* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'': Hank interviews several people for a position at Strickland Propane, one of them being Dale, someone he's known his entire life, and can tell his resume (written on binder paper) is this when he claims he's worked for the (nonexistent) "Gribble and Son Propane", operating out of Yuma, Arizona, since 1984.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E7MargeGetsAJob Marge Gets A Job]]", Marge decides to apply for a job at the nuclear plant, but the only experience she has to list on her resume is "homemaker". Lisa helps her pad it with work experience like "chauffeur", "seamstress", "worked for the Carter administration" (she voted for him twice), and "curator of large animals" (cue a bulging, hairy Homer). References to her resume become a running gag throughout the episode, which also included claims of being fluent in Swahili, writing a Music/MuddyWaters song, and inventing a nuclear reactor.
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