Welcome to Pressing Questions, Fast Company’s workplace advice column. Every week, deputy editor Kathleen Davis, host of The New Way We Work podcast, will answer your biggest and most pressing workplace questions.

Q: Is it okay to lie (a little) on your résumé?

A: I would hope that the answer to this question is obvious, but perhaps not. Lying in some form, whether it’s inflating your job title or experience, exaggerating your skills, or fudging employment or graduation dates is way more common than you might think. In fact, a 2023 ResumeLab survey found that 70% of job applicants have lied on their résumés. For the record let me be clear, lying on your résumé—no matter how big or small the lie is or what it’s about—is never, ever, ever a good idea. Like ever.

Just because everyone else

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