Graham Staffing Services, Inc.

The economy may not be the only thing keeping employers hesitant to hire. According to staffing specialists, telling that white lie on your resume could be a deciding factor on whether or not you get the job.

Momentum Specialized Staffing, a Valley-based staff agency, offers their best advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of lying or embellishing on your resume. Owner Michael Hayes said that placing false information on a resume is misrepresentation and may cost you the job.

The most common mistakes that Hayes sees are resumes that are too long, have misspellings and are embellished. Hayes suggests seven dos and don’ts for resume writing:

-- DON'T make your resume more than one page (say “additional information available upon request”)

-- DO keep it short and to the point

-- DON'T say “looking for receptionist position” when the job is an office manager

-- DO tailor your resume for the position

-- DON'T send your resume to apply for jobs you’re not qualified for. It wastes your time and just gets deleted

-- DO make sure that your contact numbers and e-mail are correct

-- DON'T fib on your job history, qualifications or education. This could get you fired down the road

-- DO highlight the most relevant qualifications and strengths you have. Remember: don't embellish!

Hayes told ABC15 that it’s all too common for him to see job-seekers fluff their resume or list skill sets they don't have.

“Just don’t do it,” Hayes said, “If you want skills, take a class.”

Although not all employers double check information, staffing agencies like Momentum do because their objective is to screen for the best possible candidates for business clients.

Momentum specializes in staffing for a variety of companies and according to Hayes, 25 percent of their clients are in logistics.

It appears to be a trend that large businesses are using staffing companies like Momentum to find permanent employees. According to the American Staffing Association, about 90 percent of large businesses use staffing agencies to find permanent employees.

While the trend is relatively high among large businesses, small- to mid-size businesses are using staffing agencies between 12 and 24 percent to find permanent employees. In contrast, 80 percent of companies with 25 or more employees use the agencies for temporary employees.

Staffing companies may become a deciding factor in the job search for either temporary or permanent employment. Given that agencies like Momentum are anticipated to be checking resumes more carefully, it is important to keep them accurate and well-polished.

Whether you're looking for a position or hiring a new employee, it’s expected that staffing agencies are here to stay. ASA Reports from January say that the staffing industry is up 12 percent from last year.

According to an ASA 2010 study, when the economy is emerging from a recession, a sustained upturn in staffing jobs can signal the end of the current recession.