Career By Design

Is it ever appropriate to embellish your resume or LinkedIn profile?
And if so, how much embellishment is allowed?



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Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
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I suggest keeping it honest.

If you claim to have some abilities, for example, Python programming, there is a clear chance that at some point, that ability will be put to the test by your chief.

It will be disastrous for your reputation if they find you lied in your CV.

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Luis Vasquez-Varela Aff.M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
Manizales
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Hi Dan!! 

Art is never an outdated trend. I think some organizations in the world are collaborating with Others with similar views & Individuals .  

Well in Engineering now a days, we are now looking for "performance objectives". 

Apply this logic to curriculum composition, you might get to the point!

If you find a way, you would  like to adjust a combination of skills 

or certificates, experiences you have to call someone attention!

One great idea is Art being = performance objective 

you can start doing some some experiments 

an trying to see how it develops! ,

Andre.

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Andre Newinski S.E., A.M.ASCE
Engenheiro Estrutural
AN
Santo Angelo
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If by embellish, you mean make something more interesting while remaining truthful, that's o.k.  An example would be 'I checked steel shop drawings' vs. 'I was responsible for reviewing all the fabricator's steel shop drawings for the project; the work included collaborating with them regarding design changes, clarifications, and alternative designs.'  the latter answer (provided it's all true) would make a mundane sounding task more interesting and better reflect some of hte responsibilities that go along with it.

If by embellish you mean overstating roles or abilities, that's a bad idea.  If , for instance, you overstate proficiency with a piece of software, you risk eventually being exposed and having other claims called into question.  'I am proficient in all aspects of RISA 3D' vs. ' I have been exposed to and worked with RISA 3D on smaller steel design projects'. would be an example.  I would not look at the latter answer as a negative - in fact, I would appreciate the applicant's candor.

Honesty is the best policy.

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Greg Thein, PE
Cleveland, OH
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You make a great point! Would you consider embellishment by omission?

For example, instead of rating your proficiency on each technical skill you simply list all of them. Would you view it as acceptable?
I've had a resume coach tell me that this is standard and if the interviewer questions you about a particular skill you should be truthful.

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Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2022 08:40 AM
From: Gregory Thein
Subject: EXCITING TITLE!!...or something regular...?

If by embellish, you mean make something more interesting while remaining truthful, that's o.k.  An example would be 'I checked steel shop drawings' vs. 'I was responsible for reviewing all the fabricator's steel shop drawings for the project; the work included collaborating with them regarding design changes, clarifications, and alternative designs.'  the latter answer (provided it's all true) would make a mundane sounding task more interesting and better reflect some of hte responsibilities that go along with it.

If by embellish you mean overstating roles or abilities, that's a bad idea.  If , for instance, you overstate proficiency with a piece of software, you risk eventually being exposed and having other claims called into question.  'I am proficient in all aspects of RISA 3D' vs. ' I have been exposed to and worked with RISA 3D on smaller steel design projects'. would be an example.  I would not look at the latter answer as a negative - in fact, I would appreciate the applicant's candor.

Honesty is the best policy.

------------------------------
Greg Thein, PE
Cleveland, OH
------------------------------

I see the point of that approach.  It's a fine line, and really depends on how you phrase it, ie. "proficient at the following skills:" vs. "skills:"

And I think a candidate would have to be very cognizant during the interview of what level of expertise it appears the interviewer is assuming.

I know of a case where a new hire was assumed to be proficient in a certain BIM software and they turned out to be closer to entry-level when it was put to the test a few months after the hire date.  I'm not sure if the fault lay with the interviewer for not asking more questions about the expertise, or if the candidate didn't realize that their skills were actually pretty rudimentary (which can especially be the case for candidates who are coming straight out of school with little practical experience to gage and compare their own skills against).

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Greg Thein, PE
Cleveland, OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2022 03:04 PM
From: Daniel Bressler
Subject: EXCITING TITLE!!...or something regular...?

You make a great point! Would you consider embellishment by omission?

For example, instead of rating your proficiency on each technical skill you simply list all of them. Would you view it as acceptable?
I've had a resume coach tell me that this is standard and if the interviewer questions you about a particular skill you should be truthful.

------------------------------
Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2022 08:40 AM
From: Gregory Thein
Subject: EXCITING TITLE!!...or something regular...?

If by embellish, you mean make something more interesting while remaining truthful, that's o.k.  An example would be 'I checked steel shop drawings' vs. 'I was responsible for reviewing all the fabricator's steel shop drawings for the project; the work included collaborating with them regarding design changes, clarifications, and alternative designs.'  the latter answer (provided it's all true) would make a mundane sounding task more interesting and better reflect some of hte responsibilities that go along with it.

If by embellish you mean overstating roles or abilities, that's a bad idea.  If , for instance, you overstate proficiency with a piece of software, you risk eventually being exposed and having other claims called into question.  'I am proficient in all aspects of RISA 3D' vs. ' I have been exposed to and worked with RISA 3D on smaller steel design projects'. would be an example.  I would not look at the latter answer as a negative - in fact, I would appreciate the applicant's candor.

Honesty is the best policy.

------------------------------
Greg Thein, PE
Cleveland, OH

Greg:
Does this fall into the category of the more you know the more you realize you do not know?! I was not skilled enough in AutoCAD to realize how inefficient or inadequate my skills were. Having used all types of CAD programs since they were invented, I viewed my skill level as above average until I met someone whose skillset included all aspects from file set-up to line color and thickness management per a CAD standard. There was a next level to all of it beyond the mechanics of the program; an optimal functioning level that most companies would consider truly proficient. 



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James Williams P.E., M.ASCE
Principal/Owner
POA&M Structural Engineering, PLC
Yorktown, VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2022 04:31 PM
From: Gregory Thein
Subject: EXCITING TITLE!!...or something regular...?

I see the point of that approach.  It's a fine line, and really depends on how you phrase it, ie. "proficient at the following skills:" vs. "skills:"

And I think a candidate would have to be very cognizant during the interview of what level of expertise it appears the interviewer is assuming.

I know of a case where a new hire was assumed to be proficient in a certain BIM software and they turned out to be closer to entry-level when it was put to the test a few months after the hire date.  I'm not sure if the fault lay with the interviewer for not asking more questions about the expertise, or if the candidate didn't realize that their skills were actually pretty rudimentary (which can especially be the case for candidates who are coming straight out of school with little practical experience to gage and compare their own skills against).

------------------------------
Greg Thein, PE
Cleveland, OH
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2022 03:04 PM
From: Daniel Bressler
Subject: EXCITING TITLE!!...or something regular...?

You make a great point! Would you consider embellishment by omission?

For example, instead of rating your proficiency on each technical skill you simply list all of them. Would you view it as acceptable?
I've had a resume coach tell me that this is standard and if the interviewer questions you about a particular skill you should be truthful.

------------------------------
Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY


Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2022 08:40 AM
From: Gregory Thein
Subject: EXCITING TITLE!!...or something regular...?

If by embellish, you mean make something more interesting while remaining truthful, that's o.k.  An example would be 'I checked steel shop drawings' vs. 'I was responsible for reviewing all the fabricator's steel shop drawings for the project; the work included collaborating with them regarding design changes, clarifications, and alternative designs.'  the latter answer (provided it's all true) would make a mundane sounding task more interesting and better reflect some of hte responsibilities that go along with it.

If by embellish you mean overstating roles or abilities, that's a bad idea.  If , for instance, you overstate proficiency with a piece of software, you risk eventually being exposed and having other claims called into question.  'I am proficient in all aspects of RISA 3D' vs. ' I have been exposed to and worked with RISA 3D on smaller steel design projects'. would be an example.  I would not look at the latter answer as a negative - in fact, I would appreciate the applicant's candor.

Honesty is the best policy.

------------------------------
Greg Thein, PE
Cleveland, OH

There is an art to language and writing. I believe intentionally painting a false picture may cross ethical borders.

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James Williams P.E., M.ASCE
Principal/Owner
POA&M Structural Engineering, PLC
Yorktown, VA
------------------------------