The Truth Will Out: Why Lying on Your CV or LinkedIn Can Cost You Everything
29 July 2025
In recruitment, we’ve seen a lot, but few things are as preventable and damaging as a lie on a CV or LinkedIn profile.
Recently, we worked with a candidate who had progressed through interviews for a fantastic role. He impressed the client, received an offer, accepted it, and signed the contract. Everything was moving forward, and he had already resigned from his current job.
Then the background check began.
And that’s when it all fell apart.
He had misrepresented just a few months on his CV. Nothing major, and nothing that couldn’t have been explained. I would have been more than happy to help him clarify it for the client. But instead, he stayed silent.
Because of that small lie, the offer was withdrawn.
He lost the job and was suddenly unemployed.
Background Checks in Luxembourg Are Increasing
To explore how common this is, we ran a LinkedIn poll. The results were clear:
Have you ever gone through a formal background check for a job in Luxembourg?
• 58% said yes, detailed and thorough
• 19% said yes, but it was basic
• 23% said no, never had one
This shows that background checks are becoming standard across all levels, not just for senior roles. Employers are verifying dates, titles, education, and even your online presence.
It’s a positive development for trust and transparency, but it also means candidates must be more mindful than ever.
What stood out most was that nearly a quarter of respondents have never gone through a background check — a surprising figure in a market so heavily focused on finance, compliance, and regulation. It suggests that while many companies are stepping up their due diligence, others may still be relying on trust over verification.
Mismatched LinkedIn and CV? That Could Be a Problem
We also asked how closely people’s CVs match their LinkedIn profiles. Here’s what they said:
How closely do your LinkedIn and CV match?
• 62% said perfectly aligned
• 30% said mostly, with a few outdated bits
• 4% said not really
• 4% said I’m not sure what’s even on my LinkedIn
While it’s encouraging that most people keep things consistent, around 1 in 10 could be unintentionally creating risk by presenting conflicting information. We’ve seen small mismatches erode trust, even when there’s no bad intent.
For many hiring managers, LinkedIn is the first CV they review. Make sure it’s accurate.
Honesty Builds Opportunities
If that candidate had trusted us with the full story, things could have gone very differently.
As recruiters, we help candidates frame gaps, transitions, and career changes in a way that is honest and professional. But we can’t do that without full transparency.
Clarity gives us the tools to advocate for you and holding back puts everything at risk.
The takeaway?
In today’s job market, integrity is essential. Especially in a small country like Luxembourg.
And your LinkedIn profile is not just a social platform. It’s your online CV. Make sure it reflects the same story as your actual résumé and interview narrative.
