Omitting certain credentials from a job application (highest, applying, degrees)

[514gal]

I have heard that there is a trend now to leave an advanced degree like a PhD or MBA off your resume if you think it will get you labelled as overqualified. Has anyone had to do this? Did it work for them or did the fact that you hid something come back to bite you?

[charlygal]

You're not required to put your entire life story on your resume. Put what you think will matter to the hiring company. If they ask, you can clarify later.

[sandsthetime]

You can omit things like advanced degrees, and even unrelated work experience, from the resume but you still have to list these things when filling out an actual application, right?

[KellyXY]

Originally Posted by sandsthetime

You can omit things like advanced degrees, and even unrelated work experience, from the resume but you still have to list these things when filling out an actual application, right?

It depends on how the application asks for it:
If they ask specifically for your highest education or that you list all employers, do so even if not relevant.
If it's more of an open-ended space for education and/or work experience, you may have more leeway (but it'd be best to still list it unless there isn't space for that far back or you think it'd be used against you in a negative way).

For practical purposes the difference between a résumé and a job application is with the latter the employer ask for the information they want and not providing it can get you in trouble (unless the question deals with a subject that an employer should not ask), while with the former only outright lies (and not omissions) can be a problem.
Example 1: You claim to have a degree that you don't have. Regardless of the means of how you told that false information (résumé, application, interview, etc.), it could come back to bite you.
Example 2: You have a degree that is irrelevant to the position you're applying for. Since a résumé is just a marketing tool with relevant information there is no problem with not listing it there. However, if an application or interviewer asks you to mention all your degrees, you should do so.

[hitpausebutton2]

Well im not sure if it help me, but i dumb down my resume this morning to only put 5 years as a IT person instead of 10, and go a offer this afternoon. Now granted i applied for this job 6 months ago, only difference is i just removed some years off it and got the job. From what i hear from staffing agencies, most companies dont like to see too much experience as they are afraid that you will leave if you find a better offer. Well DUH. i mean i be stupid to not to listen to a company offer if the are paying more.

[514gal]

Originally Posted by sandsthetime

You can omit things like advanced degrees, and even unrelated work experience, from the resume but you still have to list these things when filling out an actual application, right?

Yes, it wouldn't really work if you're filling out an application using the ATS but I have also been applying to smaller companies where all you do is send your resume and cover letter to an email address like jobs@companyx.com so it would be possible to do it there.

[deposite]

Originally Posted by hitpausebutton2

Well im not sure if it help me, but i dumb down my resume this morning to only put 5 years as a IT person instead of 10, and go a offer this afternoon. Now granted i applied for this job 6 months ago, only difference is i just removed some years off it and got the job. From what i hear from staffing agencies, most companies dont like to see too much experience as they are afraid that you will leave if you find a better offer. Well DUH. i mean i be stupid to not to listen to a company offer if the are paying more.

And that's what we call cherry-picking.

[hitpausebutton2]

Originally Posted by deposite

And that's what we call cherry-picking.

Hey the employer going to cherry pick, so will the employee.. lol. Ol saying is dont be smarter than your boss, till you get your feet wet.