I read an article today about an airline pilot/cardiologist that had a very successful speaking and academic career. This pilot was uncovered as a fraud when it was discovered that he had not actually graduated from medical school and was not a cardiologist. From the AP:

He seemed like Superman, able to guide jumbo jets through perilous skies and tiny tubes through blocked arteries. As a cardiologist and United Airlines captain, William Hamman taught doctors and pilots ways to keep hearts and planes from crashing.He shared millions in grants, had university and hospital posts, and bragged of work for prestigious medical groups. An Associated Press story featured him leading a teamwork training session at an American College of Cardiology convention last spring.

But it turns out Hamman isn't a cardiologist or even a doctor. The AP found he had no medical residency, fellowship, doctoral degree or the 15 years of clinical experience he claimed. He attended medical school for a few years but withdrew and didn't graduate.

When I read these type of stories I always wonder how it got to this point. It probably started with trying to impress a woman at a dinner party ("Yes, I am a pilot and a heart surgeon") and then when that went well, he tried it at his next job interview.

I know when the job market is tight there is an little voice in your heard that may be encouraging you to embellish your qualifications. Fight that urge. Make your resume stand out more by branding yourself, building your network, and legitimately increasing your skills.

Lying is a slippery slope. One day you are fudging your GPA on a resume and the next you are pretending that you are a flying heart surgeon.