Why exaggeration in one area and underplaying another can cost candidates the right role.
Introduction
There’s an old phrase — “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” It usually refers to taking resources from one area to cover for another, creating imbalance instead of solving the real problem. The same principle applies to resumes. Too often, candidates overemphasize certain skills while underplaying others, unintentionally distorting their professional story. The result? They either land jobs they don’t truly want, or get overlooked for roles they’re actually qualified for.
The Trap of Overemphasis
Imagine a candidate with strong project management skills who decides to highlight them excessively because “that’s what employers want right now.” They fill their resume with jargon about Agile, sprint cycles, and roadmaps. But in doing so, they bury equally important capabilities — say, client communication or technical expertise.
An interviewer reading this resume might think: “Impressive project management, but that’s not what we’re hiring for.” The candidate ends up in an interview for a role misaligned with their true strengths.
This is robbing Peter (their communication skills) to pay Paul (their project management emphasis).
The Danger of Understatement
On the flip side, many candidates fall into the trap of understatement. They’ve mastered multiple tools or led significant projects but describe them modestly, as though they’re just “part of the job.” While honesty is critical, underrepresentation is also a form of dishonesty — it prevents interviewers from seeing the full picture.
An interviewer doesn’t read between the lines. They read what’s on paper. If your resume downplays your capabilities, it tells them you might not have those skills at all.
The Interviewer’s Lens
It’s important to remember: interviewers aren’t looking for a perfect candidate, they’re looking for the right one. When reading a resume, they subconsciously ask:
- Does this person’s story align with the role?
- Are they inflating a niche skill at the expense of a bigger picture?
- Am I seeing balance, or bias?
A well-balanced resume answers those questions clearly without leaving room for doubt.
Finding the Balance
The key is honesty with precision. That means:
- Highlighting strengths relevant to the role without burying others.
- Using metrics and results to show impact, not just listing skills.
- Making sure your resume reflects your career narrative, not just job descriptions.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul in a resume creates imbalance — and interviewers notice it. Instead, think of your resume as a mirror: it should reflect your true self, not a distorted version.
Conclusion
Hiring is about fit, and resumes are the doorway. When you overplay one hand and underplay another, you risk mismatching yourself to the wrong opportunities. The most successful resumes strike balance — they showcase both depth and breadth without distortion.
At MatchPoint Solutions, we help candidates and companies align skills with opportunities, ensuring resumes and roles connect seamlessly.
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