Job candidate puts average IQ score on resume thinking it's a strong result, hiring manager calls him out: 'It turns out I just found a smart way to make myself look foolish'

Candidates are always told to make themselves stand out on their job applications, but sometimes, those attempts to stand out can backfire in a major way.

It's like how actors often admit to having lied on their resumes to get roles, but usually, these are minor fibs like horseback riding or being able to sing. Still, even a minor fib can get you in trouble, or at the very least, embarrassed. Check out this candidate's story about a resume mistake he would come to instantly regret!

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    "I see you took an IQ test. That's interesting."
    via Unsplash+ (Mohammad Hamdi)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • This candidate recently took an IQ exam and received a 101. According to the folks who administered the test, this result was slightly above average, but clearly in hindsight, they were humoring him. It turns out that the result was considered average at best, and it certainly was not something a job applicant should include on their resume unprompted.

    Unfortunately for this guy, he learned the truth in the worst way. A hiring manager had to tell him what a 101 actually means during a real interview. Yikes!

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    I thought it would be a good idea to add mylQ badge to my resume. It's a small way to show that I enjoy learning and fixing problems. I thought it was a smart way to be different. It turns
    via thegoodc*****
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    out I just found a smart way to make myself look foolish. I applied for a job, and during the interview, the hiring manager mentioned it.
    via thegoodc*****
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    Him: Oh, I see you took an IQ test. That's interesting. Me: Yes! I thought it would be enjoyable. Him: Did you get 101 points? Me: Yes. He looks at me. Me: sweating.
    via thegoodc*****
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    Cheezburger Image 10464357888
    via Unsplash+ (Mohamed Hamdi)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    I didn't get the job. I really believed that a score of 101 was good (no). He kindly said it was a bit better than normal, but they were hoping for someone really exceptional.
    via thegoodc*****
  • 07
    TL;DR: Just because you can add something to your resume doesn't mean it's a good idea to do so.
    via thegoodc*****
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  • Several members of the online community shared their humorous reactions to this poor applicant's story. Some were teasing him, some back up the hiring manager with receipts about IQ scores, and others shared their own similar tales of interview flops.

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    bu... • 2h ago Edited 2h ago No better way to make yourself look dumb than bragging about an IQ test. But you've learned a new thing here so add a point to your score and take it off your resume!
    via thegoodc*****
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    emm1eeeeeeee • 2h ago . bragging about an IQ test is the least intelligent thing you could've done, especially considering the fact that 101 is painfully average Imao
    via thegoodc*****
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    CoolHandRK1 • 2h ago It also makes you look like the kid that thinks being in advanced placement math in 8th grade makes them a genius. Dont ever talk about or mention your IQ to anyone ever.
    via thegoodc*****
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    Agomir 2h ago I don't think the worst part was including the score, or even the score in itself. Going by what you said, it seems more that you didn't seem to understand what the IQ score meant...
    via thegoodc*****
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    caocaothedeciever • 2h ago Just the fact you were arrogant enough to share such a mediocre IQ without actually doing any reading up on it isn't a red flag, it's an entire parade of red banners with "I'm an arrogant doofus!" emblazoned on.
    via thegoodc*****
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    Ok-disaster2022 • 2h ago 100 is the average IQ. They renormalize every decade to keep it 100. A proper IQ is done with an examiner, not with set of questions online. Online IQ tests are like horoscopes.
    via thegoodc*****
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  • 14
    ohyayitstrey • 2h ago If I were a hiring manager, I would genuinely laugh at someone who put an IQ score on their resume. IQ scores measure how well
    via thegoodc*****
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    you take IQ score tests, and that's about it. They are not indicative of how good you might be at your job, how well you'd work with a team,
    via thegoodc*****
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    nor how much of a learner you are. I'd assume that anyone who put an IQ score on their resume was immature or lacked self- awareness.
    via thegoodc*****
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    Alaskanmade • 2h ago It would be the equivalent of showing your high school report card was straight C's. (Or 3's if you are from parts of Europe).
    via thegoodc*****
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    ThatRandom Gray • 2h ago The average IQ is 85-115, like you said at the end, I understand wanting to look better for a resume but more often than not your IQ won't show how well you work.
    via thegoodc*****
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    Like some others said it seems to be bragging and is honestly less desirable than if you just gave a little bit about being confident in your abilities to do your work there
    via thegoodc*****
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    Wonderful-Run-1... 2h ago The fact that you put your IQ score on your resume shows that you're not very smart.
    via thegoodc*****
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    tho78 2h ago • a bit better than normal They were being nice. Classification IQ Range % highly gifted 140+ 0.4% Mensa membership 130+ 296 gifted 130+ 296 International High IQ Society membership 124 5% high 115-129 1596 high average 110-115 25% average 90-109 50% low average borderline 85-89 2396 70-79 896
    via thegoodc*****

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