If you were fired from a job 2 years ago should you lie on your application?

Answer 1

No, you should never lie on your job application. Most likely they will find out and you won't get the job. It's better to be honest or just not mention things. But if asked, be honest.

If you don't put it on your application, and get the job, you can be fired from your new job for falsifying your past work history. If they happen to conduct background checks, they would find out, anyways. Plus, it makes you look sketchy. If you found out the guy you just hired lied to you, would you ever be able to fully trust him again?

Be smart and honest the first few Job Applications and interviews. If you find after ten interviews you're not getting any jobs because you were fired, then start lying or remove the job reference from your resume. Granted, some people cannot remove a 20-year job from their resume, but if the job was two years or under, just make something up and install a phone line in your friend's house. When they call for references your buddy will answer the phone and provide your new employer with whatever they want to hear. I had my wife answer as my secretary, put the person on hold, and "transfer" the call to me, the boss! (If you're using this secretary-to-boss system, have the first person use that dummy telemarketer-type phone voice and when you get on the phone speak as a relaxed executive. Don't speak long and then say you have another call you need to take and invite them to send a written employment verification form.) This works, I helped a friend get a 90k/yr job this way after he was fired because he screwed up pretty bad and cost his past employer $$.

The reality is negative statements and history does not reflect well on a job candidate. Employers will go with someone with all positives and similar credentials.

Quality entry-level positions are generally not filled with people who have been fired. There are too many other candidates to choose from to gamble on a loser. As you move up the ladder the application is more a process and something for HR to file and not a key tool in weeding folks out.

Good luck and remember to keep it positive and never trash-talk anyone you worked with in the past. Complainers and whiners are usually shown the door.