I read about this British chef getting fired on a popular American TV show for lying about his credentials. I find it incredible that no one caught him out before his show even aired.

When I worked in Ortigas, there was this girl in Finance who worked for the company for at least 2 years before she got the sack. Her CV says she has a degree in Accounting from UST. She even worked with the Head of Finance in another company. So she’s apparently experienced and has got good references if her boss took her with him in a second job. She was gregarious and was always brown-nosing to our Company Director’s wife (doing odd jobs like donning Winnie the Pooh costume for her kid’s bday party). I don’t know how anyone found out she’s not a degree holder because I was certainly not asked to produce my diploma, thus it wasn’t a routine check.

Then in my last job, I overheard a contractor speaking to the development manager about the content of his CV. As he was freelancing, he said it was necessary for him to dress up his CV to get that interview. So he puts in technologies and owns up to skills that he doesn’t know (much less understand). He says “it’s easy enough to read up on it when I really need it”. Du’h!

On that day I realised why a developer sent me a mock “Dummy’s Guide to DOS” picture, which he says that contracted web developer needs. This “experienced” web developer was asking how to go from drive c: to d: in a Windows DOS console.

A friend said that lying and cheating are genetic traits. One more reason why the Pinas’ political dynasties do need culling.