Q: As a soon-to-be college graduate, I am thinking about my job search. Apart from a few menial jobs, I have little work experience to highlight on my resume. A few of my friends have suggested I embellish it a little to get the attention of potential employers. What do you thinkfi

-- J.G., New York, N.Y.

A: As a first-time job seeker, you are no doubt anxious about starting your career. Even if you know others who have exaggerated their credentials, think twice before you decide to embellish yours.

The reason is simple: Unlike years ago, employers today conduct extensive background checks. Through this vetting process and the interview, your prospective employer will gather a great deal of other personal information about you. In addition to verifying the details of your CV, your prospective employer may also check your driving record and your credit history, or even conduct drug or psychological tests. And it is not unusual for large companies to hire outside firms to conduct the evaluation.

There are many reasons why employers spend so much time and money doing background checks. Your employer may have legitimate concerns about employee theft, disclosure of trade secrets and other confidential information, or being subjected to lawsuits involving workplace violence and sexual harassment. Lack of due diligence on a job applicant can wreak havoc with a company's reputation and cost millions. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have also made employers more concerned about security.

You will not be viewed favorably if your potential employer finds lies and inaccuracies on your resume. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your CV is the first impression that an employer has of you.

A number of surveys conducted over the years have concluded repeatedly that more than 40 percent of job applicants lie on their resumes. As a result, nearly all companies check references, credentials or both.

Several high-profile cases involving resume-padding should discourage you from even considering it. Remember the headlines about Bernard Kerikfi He had been nominated in December 2004 as homeland security chief, after having served as police commissioner of New York City. When the background check revealed that he had employed an illegal immigrant as a nanny, as well as certain other allegations of extramarital affairs and past conflicts of interest, he withdrew his name from consideration. Or how about the president of an evangelical Christian college in Georgia who lied about having a master's degree, and a former president of the U.S. Olympic Committee who lied about having earned a doctoratefi

In the same way their lies were discovered, yours will be, too. As you start a job search, keep this in mind:

RESUME: Be accurate and honest, but don't feel you need to be bashful about your accomplishments. Be proud of what you have done. On the other hand, don't cover up periods of unemployment: They are not uncommon. That is the reason you are looking for a job. Also, if you have certain negative things on your record, put them into context when asked -- but don't lie about them.

REFERENCES: Companies will call your references. In addition, remember that it is a small world and everyone knows someone who knows you, so it is easy to find people who can make or break your candidacy.

EDUCATION: Today, it is easy to check whether you have actually graduated or merely did course work at a certain institution. Be accurate in your description.

Happy job hunting!

Privacy expert Eric Gertler is the former president and CEO of Privista, an identity theft protection and credit management company, and the author of "Prying Eyes" (Random House, 2004), a guide to protecting yourself from people who sell to you, snoop on you and steal from you. Visit his Web site at www.pryingeyesbook.com and submit your questions to pryingeyesbookyahoo.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C10.