Don't Lie on Your Resume—Just Ask Scott Thompson

In one of the more public gaffes of our time and a hallmark in career blunders, Scott Thompson was recently fired as CEO of Yahoo after an error was exposed related to his academic credentials. Mr. Thompson's bio asserted that he has degrees in accounting and computer science from Stonehill College. His degree is actually in accounting only.

The news media had a field day with this story, using words like "embellished" and "padded" in reference to his resume. But let's face it—he didn't embellish or pad. He lied. Career Coach recommendation Number One: Don't ever lie on your resume.

As someone who cried and clawed her way through accounting in graduate school, I'd say that having a degree in accounting is quite enough to crow about. But maybe in the world of Silicon Valley, it wasn't enough. Somewhere along the way, he slipped in an additional degree in computer science. Wishful thinking turned into a comment, perhaps, that turned into an illusion that turned into a white lie.

It's hard not to wonder, when did his white lie become a lie, and then, when did that lie actually get documented? While the on-going story continually referenced his resume, it was really his corporate bio that landed Mr. Thompson in hot water and ultimately on the street, jobless. According to an article published on CNN Money's website, the inflated bio was published in the company's most recent annual report which constitutes a legal document.

This story is a cautionary tale for anyone who is tempted to misrepresent one's credentials just to get the job. I'm not saying it's right, but I do understand how the pressure of finding employment can lead to rationalizations that might lead someone astray. I don't know Mr. Thompson's circumstances prior to getting hired at Yahoo and I don't know how long that "myth" had been perpetrated. But I do know it's going to follow him around a long time—like, forever. He may be able to rise from the ashes, probably with a best-selling book on why you shouldn't lie on your resume. But it will take a while. 

While researching this story I visited the website of Stonehill College, Mr. Thompson's alma mater. Stonehill is described as a "selective Catholic college located near Boston..." and its mission statement includes "the Stonehill community helps students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character to meet their professional goals and to live lives of purpose and integrity." Any mention of Mr. Thompson on the college's website has been judiciously scrubbed. One article published on the Motley Fool's website suggests that the misrepresentation leaves Mr. Thompson open to a possible lawsuit by the college.

I feel bad for the Stonehill College folks. For four glorious months, the length of his tenure as CEO of Yahoo, the faculty and staff of the college must have been bursting with pride. One of their own had made it to the top of the ranks in business--and a famous technology business at that! Their alumni relations people must have been slavering to slap Mr. Thompson's face on the website, brochures and "institutional advancement" (read: fund-raising) materials. I'm sure there were plans in the works for a Scott Thompson Day on that campus. Sadly, his shame is theirs.  

So let this be a lesson to all of us. If you're in career transition, take a good hard look at your resume. Is it true? If you're in business, pore over your bio. Does it pass the Scott Thompson test? Is there anything on there that you can't substantiate?

When in doubt, take it out.

Vickie Austin is a business and career coach and founder of CHOICES Worldwide in Wheaton. She swears she went to Arizona State University and received a bachelor's degree in English literature, graduating magna cum laude (go ahead, check with the registrar), a degree that left her wildly unqualified to pursue and yet ultimately receive an executive master's degree in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management where she really did cry her way through accounting. You can reach her at vaustin@choicesworldwide.com or connect the old-fashioned way, by telephone, at 630-510-1900.